Forest Refine

Detailed objectives of the project were:

• To compile principles and techniques for comminuting and sorting forest biomass.
• To study the conditions for doing a first sorting and/or compacting of the forest biomass at roadside or close to the site.
• To study partitioning and sorting forest biomass at terminal to achieve as homogeneous fractions as possible according to demands from the biorefinery industry.
• To analyze the chemical composition and concentration in different tree components for the most common tree species in Västerbotten,Västernorrland and Central Osterbothnia  and to determine the geographical distribution and amounts of these chemicals.
• To characterize different fractions of forest biomass generated in this project in terms of chemical and physical parameters like , moisture content, ash content, bulk density  extractives, heat value, particle size distribution and geometric shape of particles.
• To study effects of storage for different types of comminuted and sorted forest biomass.
• To define future quality demands on feedstock for different types of biorefineries.
• To study chemical decomposition of different tree species to cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin aiming for ethanol production.
• To analyze energy and cost balances for different supply chains to biorefineries.
• To distribute achieved results and to actively contribute to knowledge building and cooperation within the Bothnia Atlantica region that is the region for feedstock production to biorefineries. 

For more information and all results visit: www.forestrefine.se