Enrico Santangelo | Consiglio per la Ricerca e Sperimentazione in Agricoltura (original) (raw)
Papers by Enrico Santangelo
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), May 21, 2015
In the last decade Jatropha curcas L. (an oleaginous crop native to Central America and part of S... more In the last decade Jatropha curcas L. (an oleaginous crop native to Central America and part of South America) has raised particular interest owing to of its properties and uses. Its capsules may contain up to 40% in oil and can be used as feedstock for biodiesel production. The harvesting phase is made difficult by the physiological traits of the specie, because fruits are in bunches and do not ripen simultaneously. Three harvesting methodologies are currently diffused and differ for the level of mechanization applied: manual picking, semi-mechanical harvesting, and mechanical harvesting. The manual picking is the most common in the developing countries but it is also the most time consuming and inefficient. Mechanical harvesting carried out with modified grape harvesters has the higher productivity, but it is very costly as initial investment and requires appropriate schemes of cultivation. The semi-mechanical harvesting method is achieved with shaker tools employed to facilitate the fruit detachment. This system resulted much cheaper than the fully mechanized one and quite flexible for small and medium scale applications, but it still requires adjustments for improving the productive performance. CRA-ING, within the European project Jatromed (http://www.jatromed.aua.gr) has carried out preliminary studies on the applicability of such approach, adapting an olive shaker to harvest Jatropha fruits. The work is a survey of the harvesting methods currently available for Jatropha, show the pros and cons of each system, and highlighting the criteria to be considered for choosing one respect another. The harvesting of Jatropha curcas L. remains a big constrains for the spread of the species as energy crop. The approach pursued by CRA-ING can be considered a good compromise between the fully mechanized harvesters and the exclusive manual intervention. It is an attempt to promote a sustainable mechanization suited to the social context of developing countries by encouraging the concrete involvement of local populations.
Informatore Agrario, 1990
Agricoltura Mediterranea, Apr 10, 1995
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), May 21, 2015
In the last decade Jatropha curcas L. (an oleaginous crop native to Central America and part of S... more In the last decade Jatropha curcas L. (an oleaginous crop native to Central America and part of South America) has raised particular interest owing to of its properties and uses. Its capsules may contain up to 40% in oil and can be used as feedstock for biodiesel production. The harvesting phase is made difficult by the physiological traits of the specie, because fruits are in bunches and do not ripen simultaneously. Three harvesting methodologies are currently diffused and differ for the level of mechanization applied: manual picking, semi-mechanical harvesting, and mechanical harvesting. The manual picking is the most common in the developing countries but it is also the most time consuming and inefficient. Mechanical harvesting carried out with modified grape harvesters has the higher productivity, but it is very costly as initial investment and requires appropriate schemes of cultivation. The semi-mechanical harvesting method is achieved with shaker tools employed to facilitate the fruit detachment. This system resulted much cheaper than the fully mechanized one and quite flexible for small and medium scale applications, but it still requires adjustments for improving the productive performance. CRA-ING, within the European project Jatromed (http://www.jatromed.aua.gr) has carried out preliminary studies on the applicability of such approach, adapting an olive shaker to harvest Jatropha fruits. The work is a survey of the harvesting methods currently available for Jatropha, show the pros and cons of each system, and highlighting the criteria to be considered for choosing one respect another. The harvesting of Jatropha curcas L. remains a big constrains for the spread of the species as energy crop. The approach pursued by CRA-ING can be considered a good compromise between the fully mechanized harvesters and the exclusive manual intervention. It is an attempt to promote a sustainable mechanization suited to the social context of developing countries by encouraging the concrete involvement of local populations.
Journal of Genetics and Breeding, 1997
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Oct 25, 2017
When orchards reach the end of the productive cycle, the stumps removal becomes a mandatory opera... more When orchards reach the end of the productive cycle, the stumps removal becomes a mandatory operation to allow new soil preparation and to establish new cultivations. The exploitation of the removed stump biomass seems a valuable option, especially in the growing energy market of the biofuels; however, the scarce quality of the material obtained after the extraction compromises its marketability, making this product a costly waste to be disposed. In this regard, the identification of affordable strategies for the extraction and the cleaning of the material will be crucial in order to provide to plantation owners the chance to sell the biomass and offset the extraction costs. Mechanical extraction and cleaning technologies have been already tested on forest stumps, but these systems work on the singular piece and would be inefficient in the conditions of an intensive orchard, where stumps are small and numerous. The objective of this study was to test the possibility to exploit a natural stumps cleaning system through open-air storage. The tested stumps were obtained from two different vineyards, extracted with an innovative stump puller specifically designed for continuous stump removal in intensively-planted orchards. The effects of weathering were evaluated to determine the fuel quality immediately after the extraction and after a storage period of six months with respect to moisture content, ash content, and heating value. Results indicated interesting storage performance, showing also different dynamics depending on the stumps utilized.
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2017
Rather than disposed as waste, the biomass generated by the management of freshwater bodies has a... more Rather than disposed as waste, the biomass generated by the management of freshwater bodies has a potential use as substrate in the anaerobic digestion or for biochar production. To this aim, beside its suitability for processing, an efficient supply chain must be developed. The paper describes a harvesting system adopted by a land reclamation authority of North Italy. Two mowing boats and one hauling unit were monitored during the recovery of aquatic weeds. The fresh biomass harvested amounted to 22.8 t km-1. Both boats showed a comparable productivity (more than 4 t h-1) obtained reducing the unproductive time for turning and adjustment at 15%. The system appeared to work well, but some aspects as the scheduling of hauling and processing to reduce the risk of decomposition should be addressed.
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2018
Biomass combustion is a process widely used for heat and power generation through use of differen... more Biomass combustion is a process widely used for heat and power generation through use of different types of plants provided with systems for flue gas cleaning in order to ensure a low environmental impact. Emissions from biomass combustion concern different types of compounds, from CO2, CO, SOX, NOX, particulate matter (PM) to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Obviously, emissions are linked to the biomass characteristics and to the operating parameters of combustion facility. The aim of this work concerns the evaluation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) produced from combustion tests of elm and poplar. Results showed that PCDD/Fs and PCBs were lower than 1 pg I-TEQ/Nm3 and these value are very low if compared with those referred to combustion of woody biomass in facilities provided with high efficiency systems for flue gas cleaning.
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2018
Besidesthe value of the commercial fruit production, farmers cultivating minor fruit trees may ac... more Besidesthe value of the commercial fruit production, farmers cultivating minor fruit trees may achieve an additional income from the recovery of pruning residues. The collection of biomass in orchards is proposed for use as a renewable energy source, and alsoconsidered a viable alternative to on-site mulching or open burning. Pruning operations in sweet chestnut orchards (Castanea sativa Mill.) produce abundantamounts of wood biomass. In Italy, chestnut orchards have beenseverely affected by the invasive Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW). Biological control using Torymus sinensis, a parasitoid wasp, is an effective control method. Parasitoid adultsoverwinter in withered galls and emerge in early spring at the time of sweet chestnut budburst, when newACGW galls develop. Therefore,winter galls should remain in the orchard until the following spring to ensure the presence of the parasitoid. This constraint must be considered when planning the field operations for pruning residue management and collection, to preserve the overwintering parasitoid in the galls. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the eco-sustainability of sweet chestnut pruning recovery,using a heavy-duty, PTO-driven, mechanical shredder and collector(Comby TR 200). The machine was coupled to a special custom made three-wheeled hydrostatic-drive tractor, to collect the biomass obtained from the pruning of 67 chestnut trees, unevenly distributedin the field. The particle size distribution of the wood chips complied with the requirements set for biomass fuel (P45). The Higher Heating Value (18.33 MJ kg-1) was comparable with the values of other hardwood species. Machine work capacity (1.19 ha h-1) and productivity (1.79 t h-1) were considered satisfactory, for the given work conditions of the trial. More importantly, the action of the shredder preserved at least two thirds of the winter galls, thus assuring a consistent presence of the parasitoid T.sinensis. However, through some modifications on the flail rotor, there is further space to improve [...]
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2013
The present work shows the principal storage methods tested by the CRA-ING research unit on SRF c... more The present work shows the principal storage methods tested by the CRA-ING research unit on SRF comminuted poplar and the preliminary results of a new test made on wood chips coming from different tree portions of traditional poplar plantations. The storage trials were performed outdoor creating woodchips piles of similar dimension. These were exposed to different storage conditions affecting the microbial degradations phenomena and the chemical reactions occurred. The storage dynamics inside the heaps of SRF chips were evaluated by testing different air circulation rate (ventilated vs compacted piles), different size of the chips (piles built with small chips vs large chips), and the influence on pile coverage (covered vs uncovered piles). In all case, the effects of storage on fuel quality were evaluated with respect to moisture content, gross and net calorific value, chemical composition, dry matter losses, and ash content.
Biomass & Bioenergy, Nov 1, 2019
The termination of a fruit orchard generates a considerable amount of residues that can be used a... more The termination of a fruit orchard generates a considerable amount of residues that can be used as fuel in biomass-fired power plants. Various studies have explored the separate collection of the above-ground tree portion and the rootstock. The present work analyses the potential of complete-tree harvesting (aboveground biomass and rootstock) from a depleted peach orchard and compares this technique with the collection of the aboveground biomass (pruning residues and stems) only. Complete trees were extracted and piled, then ground into chunks and cleaned to reduce contamination with dirt and stones. As an alternative, trees were cut, stacked and chipped, leaving the rootstocks in the ground for later disposal. Extracting complete trees and piling them at the field's edge proceeded at a pace of ca. 1 ha day −1. Grinding and cleaning allowed reducing soil contamination by 10-15%. The study showed that complete-tree harvesting is a viable approach to containing the costs of biomass recovery from depleted orchards. Supply chain efficiency is maximized by including biomass compaction during the loading of trucks.
Biomass & Bioenergy, Oct 1, 2018
a Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA
Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2018
Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a multipurpose crop, yielding fuel in the form of ... more Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a multipurpose crop, yielding fuel in the form of ethanol from its stem juice, food in the form of grain, and fodder from its leaves and bagasse. The sugars utilized for bioethanol production are contained in the stalks, in an amount varying between 12% and 25% of the fresh biomass, according to the genotypes and harvesting time. However, these carbohydrates can be easily lost during harvest and post-harvest, because of wrong machinery settings and prolonged periods of exposure of the cut material to the action of fermentative agents. For these reasons, the production of biofuel from sweet sorghum is very sensitive to harvest systems and storage methods, as they can influence remarkably the final energetic yield of the crop. The main objective of the present study was to monitor the time course of dry matter and sugar content in sweet sorghum stem over a long-time storage period. The analysis was carried out by dividing the stems into portions of different length in order to test different storage configuration by varying the stem portion stored to simulate the action of different harvest machines. This work has been designed to take into account a larger storage window respect previous experimentation. The research has provided evidence that sugar loss during the storage is highly influenced by the length of the stem portion, as well as by storage conditions. Total sugar content at harvest was on average 23.2%. The decreasing of sugar content continued during the storage period but at different rate for the different portions. At the end of storage, the sugar content of the whole stem was on average 6.6%, while the smallest portion (1/16 of the whole stem) had an average content of 1.0%. Indications on best storage conditions (storage form, storage location, storage ambient condition), as well as technical details regarding new potential harvesting solutions to decrease the speed rate of sugar loss have been provided.
Industrial Crops and Products, Dec 1, 2016
Abstract Cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus L.) is a promising crop for utilizing marginal lands. In th... more Abstract Cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus L.) is a promising crop for utilizing marginal lands. In these terrains, the lack of adequate tillage or soil levelling and the excessive presence of stones requires a high cutting height during harvesting, with remarkable biomass loss occurring. CREA-ING designed a new flexible bar driven by a system for sensing and signalling the presence of obstacles during the forward of motion of a combine harvester. A test-track was prepared to monitor the activation sequence of three sensor systems placed on the cutter bar as follows: four piston transducers measuring the flexion of the blade and counter-blade, two opposite wire transducers computing the movements of the blade-holder hinged on the left and right side of the frame, and one wire transducer placed between the head and the combine for measuring the lifting of the head operated by the hydraulic system. The combine was driven at an average speed of 0.7 km h −1 on a row of progressively higher obstacles (from 10 to 40 cm) placed in lateral, intermediate and central positions. The tests were carried out in the left half of the cutter bar. The output sent by the different sensors varied as a function of their position and the position of the obstacle, thus highlighting that the presence of an obstacle was correctly perceived by the sensor system. The signals originated from the left and right transducers had opposite trends. At the narrow “bell-shape” showed by the graph of the left transducer corresponded to a “reversed” bell generated by the right transducer, thus representing graphically the flexibility of the bar. The four piston transducers detected the necessary flexion, then lift and return the cutter bar to the starting point in response to each obstacle. The head lifting varied from 1.25 s to 2.51 s, but a threshold value could be observed as follows: below 25 cm the lifting occurred between 1.0 s and 1.5 s, while for higher obstacles the head lifting required 2.0–2.5 s. Such movement was the result of the signals sent by the sensors to the control unit before the head lifting began. The difference between the input sent by the transducers and the head lifting ranged from 1.22 s to 2.54 s in relation to the position of the obstacle. The tests showed that the head elements activated efficiently during the overcoming of an obstacle. However, if increasing speeds are needed, the reduction of Δ Act or D sig will require a modification of the electrohydraulic components.
Biomass & Bioenergy, Dec 1, 2017
Pruning residues can provide a significant amount of biomass despite being rarely used as a renew... more Pruning residues can provide a significant amount of biomass despite being rarely used as a renewable sources to replace fossil fuels. Exploiting such residues entails creating a sustainable and cost-effective supply chain in which the harvesting and initial processing of the residues play a crucial role. The study is a detailed and accurate survey of the harvesting technologies available in Europe for harvest pruning. After defining the main harvest technologies and the distribution of manufacturers in Europe, the survey details the main groups of implements: shredders, chippers and balers. For each group, the most important configurations are discussed, together with the main characteristics of the machine. Some of the main innovations are detailed (modular machines, non-stop balers, densification of the biomass) which can improve the quality of the product and the economic sustainability of the chain.
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2015
Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) is currently harvested using the common self-propelled forage harves... more Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) is currently harvested using the common self-propelled forage harvesters (SPFH). Often the product presents a distribution skewed towards the finer particles that can negatively influence the qualitative traits of the fuel and the efficiency of power plants. The Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi Economica-Unità di Ingegneria Agraria, in collaboration with Spapperi Ltd, has designed and developed a prototype for cutting and sectioning the Arundo plants in order to produce a higher proportion of chips longer than the ones obtainable from a forage harvester. A study has been conducted to compare the characteristics of the product obtained from the prototype or from a SPFH. The percentage of the finest particle was statistically reduced in the prototype's product. At the same time, the fraction ranging from 6.3 to 12.5 mm arose of about five-to ten-fold. The first results show that the lengthening of the particle size is attainable.
Energies, Dec 13, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Energies, Oct 27, 2017
When orchards reach the end of the productive cycle, the stumps removal becomes a mandatory opera... more When orchards reach the end of the productive cycle, the stumps removal becomes a mandatory operation to allow new soil preparation and to establish new cultivations. The exploitation of the removed stump biomass seems a valuable option, especially in the growing energy market of the biofuels; however, the scarce quality of the material obtained after the extraction compromises its marketability, making this product a costly waste to be disposed. In this regard, the identification of affordable strategies for the extraction and the cleaning of the material will be crucial in order to provide to plantation owners the chance to sell the biomass and offset the extraction costs. Mechanical extraction and cleaning technologies have been already tested on forest stumps, but these systems work on the singular piece and would be inefficient in the conditions of an intensive orchard, where stumps are small and numerous. The objective of this study was to test the possibility to exploit a natural stumps cleaning system through open-air storage. The tested stumps were obtained from two different vineyards, extracted with an innovative stump puller specifically designed for continuous stump removal in intensively-planted orchards. The effects of weathering were evaluated to determine the fuel quality immediately after the extraction and after a storage period of six months with respect to moisture content, ash content, and heating value. Results indicated interesting storage performance, showing also different dynamics depending on the stumps utilized.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), May 21, 2015
In the last decade Jatropha curcas L. (an oleaginous crop native to Central America and part of S... more In the last decade Jatropha curcas L. (an oleaginous crop native to Central America and part of South America) has raised particular interest owing to of its properties and uses. Its capsules may contain up to 40% in oil and can be used as feedstock for biodiesel production. The harvesting phase is made difficult by the physiological traits of the specie, because fruits are in bunches and do not ripen simultaneously. Three harvesting methodologies are currently diffused and differ for the level of mechanization applied: manual picking, semi-mechanical harvesting, and mechanical harvesting. The manual picking is the most common in the developing countries but it is also the most time consuming and inefficient. Mechanical harvesting carried out with modified grape harvesters has the higher productivity, but it is very costly as initial investment and requires appropriate schemes of cultivation. The semi-mechanical harvesting method is achieved with shaker tools employed to facilitate the fruit detachment. This system resulted much cheaper than the fully mechanized one and quite flexible for small and medium scale applications, but it still requires adjustments for improving the productive performance. CRA-ING, within the European project Jatromed (http://www.jatromed.aua.gr) has carried out preliminary studies on the applicability of such approach, adapting an olive shaker to harvest Jatropha fruits. The work is a survey of the harvesting methods currently available for Jatropha, show the pros and cons of each system, and highlighting the criteria to be considered for choosing one respect another. The harvesting of Jatropha curcas L. remains a big constrains for the spread of the species as energy crop. The approach pursued by CRA-ING can be considered a good compromise between the fully mechanized harvesters and the exclusive manual intervention. It is an attempt to promote a sustainable mechanization suited to the social context of developing countries by encouraging the concrete involvement of local populations.
Informatore Agrario, 1990
Agricoltura Mediterranea, Apr 10, 1995
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), May 21, 2015
In the last decade Jatropha curcas L. (an oleaginous crop native to Central America and part of S... more In the last decade Jatropha curcas L. (an oleaginous crop native to Central America and part of South America) has raised particular interest owing to of its properties and uses. Its capsules may contain up to 40% in oil and can be used as feedstock for biodiesel production. The harvesting phase is made difficult by the physiological traits of the specie, because fruits are in bunches and do not ripen simultaneously. Three harvesting methodologies are currently diffused and differ for the level of mechanization applied: manual picking, semi-mechanical harvesting, and mechanical harvesting. The manual picking is the most common in the developing countries but it is also the most time consuming and inefficient. Mechanical harvesting carried out with modified grape harvesters has the higher productivity, but it is very costly as initial investment and requires appropriate schemes of cultivation. The semi-mechanical harvesting method is achieved with shaker tools employed to facilitate the fruit detachment. This system resulted much cheaper than the fully mechanized one and quite flexible for small and medium scale applications, but it still requires adjustments for improving the productive performance. CRA-ING, within the European project Jatromed (http://www.jatromed.aua.gr) has carried out preliminary studies on the applicability of such approach, adapting an olive shaker to harvest Jatropha fruits. The work is a survey of the harvesting methods currently available for Jatropha, show the pros and cons of each system, and highlighting the criteria to be considered for choosing one respect another. The harvesting of Jatropha curcas L. remains a big constrains for the spread of the species as energy crop. The approach pursued by CRA-ING can be considered a good compromise between the fully mechanized harvesters and the exclusive manual intervention. It is an attempt to promote a sustainable mechanization suited to the social context of developing countries by encouraging the concrete involvement of local populations.
Journal of Genetics and Breeding, 1997
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Oct 25, 2017
When orchards reach the end of the productive cycle, the stumps removal becomes a mandatory opera... more When orchards reach the end of the productive cycle, the stumps removal becomes a mandatory operation to allow new soil preparation and to establish new cultivations. The exploitation of the removed stump biomass seems a valuable option, especially in the growing energy market of the biofuels; however, the scarce quality of the material obtained after the extraction compromises its marketability, making this product a costly waste to be disposed. In this regard, the identification of affordable strategies for the extraction and the cleaning of the material will be crucial in order to provide to plantation owners the chance to sell the biomass and offset the extraction costs. Mechanical extraction and cleaning technologies have been already tested on forest stumps, but these systems work on the singular piece and would be inefficient in the conditions of an intensive orchard, where stumps are small and numerous. The objective of this study was to test the possibility to exploit a natural stumps cleaning system through open-air storage. The tested stumps were obtained from two different vineyards, extracted with an innovative stump puller specifically designed for continuous stump removal in intensively-planted orchards. The effects of weathering were evaluated to determine the fuel quality immediately after the extraction and after a storage period of six months with respect to moisture content, ash content, and heating value. Results indicated interesting storage performance, showing also different dynamics depending on the stumps utilized.
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2017
Rather than disposed as waste, the biomass generated by the management of freshwater bodies has a... more Rather than disposed as waste, the biomass generated by the management of freshwater bodies has a potential use as substrate in the anaerobic digestion or for biochar production. To this aim, beside its suitability for processing, an efficient supply chain must be developed. The paper describes a harvesting system adopted by a land reclamation authority of North Italy. Two mowing boats and one hauling unit were monitored during the recovery of aquatic weeds. The fresh biomass harvested amounted to 22.8 t km-1. Both boats showed a comparable productivity (more than 4 t h-1) obtained reducing the unproductive time for turning and adjustment at 15%. The system appeared to work well, but some aspects as the scheduling of hauling and processing to reduce the risk of decomposition should be addressed.
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2018
Biomass combustion is a process widely used for heat and power generation through use of differen... more Biomass combustion is a process widely used for heat and power generation through use of different types of plants provided with systems for flue gas cleaning in order to ensure a low environmental impact. Emissions from biomass combustion concern different types of compounds, from CO2, CO, SOX, NOX, particulate matter (PM) to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Obviously, emissions are linked to the biomass characteristics and to the operating parameters of combustion facility. The aim of this work concerns the evaluation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) produced from combustion tests of elm and poplar. Results showed that PCDD/Fs and PCBs were lower than 1 pg I-TEQ/Nm3 and these value are very low if compared with those referred to combustion of woody biomass in facilities provided with high efficiency systems for flue gas cleaning.
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2018
Besidesthe value of the commercial fruit production, farmers cultivating minor fruit trees may ac... more Besidesthe value of the commercial fruit production, farmers cultivating minor fruit trees may achieve an additional income from the recovery of pruning residues. The collection of biomass in orchards is proposed for use as a renewable energy source, and alsoconsidered a viable alternative to on-site mulching or open burning. Pruning operations in sweet chestnut orchards (Castanea sativa Mill.) produce abundantamounts of wood biomass. In Italy, chestnut orchards have beenseverely affected by the invasive Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW). Biological control using Torymus sinensis, a parasitoid wasp, is an effective control method. Parasitoid adultsoverwinter in withered galls and emerge in early spring at the time of sweet chestnut budburst, when newACGW galls develop. Therefore,winter galls should remain in the orchard until the following spring to ensure the presence of the parasitoid. This constraint must be considered when planning the field operations for pruning residue management and collection, to preserve the overwintering parasitoid in the galls. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the eco-sustainability of sweet chestnut pruning recovery,using a heavy-duty, PTO-driven, mechanical shredder and collector(Comby TR 200). The machine was coupled to a special custom made three-wheeled hydrostatic-drive tractor, to collect the biomass obtained from the pruning of 67 chestnut trees, unevenly distributedin the field. The particle size distribution of the wood chips complied with the requirements set for biomass fuel (P45). The Higher Heating Value (18.33 MJ kg-1) was comparable with the values of other hardwood species. Machine work capacity (1.19 ha h-1) and productivity (1.79 t h-1) were considered satisfactory, for the given work conditions of the trial. More importantly, the action of the shredder preserved at least two thirds of the winter galls, thus assuring a consistent presence of the parasitoid T.sinensis. However, through some modifications on the flail rotor, there is further space to improve [...]
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2013
The present work shows the principal storage methods tested by the CRA-ING research unit on SRF c... more The present work shows the principal storage methods tested by the CRA-ING research unit on SRF comminuted poplar and the preliminary results of a new test made on wood chips coming from different tree portions of traditional poplar plantations. The storage trials were performed outdoor creating woodchips piles of similar dimension. These were exposed to different storage conditions affecting the microbial degradations phenomena and the chemical reactions occurred. The storage dynamics inside the heaps of SRF chips were evaluated by testing different air circulation rate (ventilated vs compacted piles), different size of the chips (piles built with small chips vs large chips), and the influence on pile coverage (covered vs uncovered piles). In all case, the effects of storage on fuel quality were evaluated with respect to moisture content, gross and net calorific value, chemical composition, dry matter losses, and ash content.
Biomass & Bioenergy, Nov 1, 2019
The termination of a fruit orchard generates a considerable amount of residues that can be used a... more The termination of a fruit orchard generates a considerable amount of residues that can be used as fuel in biomass-fired power plants. Various studies have explored the separate collection of the above-ground tree portion and the rootstock. The present work analyses the potential of complete-tree harvesting (aboveground biomass and rootstock) from a depleted peach orchard and compares this technique with the collection of the aboveground biomass (pruning residues and stems) only. Complete trees were extracted and piled, then ground into chunks and cleaned to reduce contamination with dirt and stones. As an alternative, trees were cut, stacked and chipped, leaving the rootstocks in the ground for later disposal. Extracting complete trees and piling them at the field's edge proceeded at a pace of ca. 1 ha day −1. Grinding and cleaning allowed reducing soil contamination by 10-15%. The study showed that complete-tree harvesting is a viable approach to containing the costs of biomass recovery from depleted orchards. Supply chain efficiency is maximized by including biomass compaction during the loading of trucks.
Biomass & Bioenergy, Oct 1, 2018
a Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA
Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 2018
Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a multipurpose crop, yielding fuel in the form of ... more Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a multipurpose crop, yielding fuel in the form of ethanol from its stem juice, food in the form of grain, and fodder from its leaves and bagasse. The sugars utilized for bioethanol production are contained in the stalks, in an amount varying between 12% and 25% of the fresh biomass, according to the genotypes and harvesting time. However, these carbohydrates can be easily lost during harvest and post-harvest, because of wrong machinery settings and prolonged periods of exposure of the cut material to the action of fermentative agents. For these reasons, the production of biofuel from sweet sorghum is very sensitive to harvest systems and storage methods, as they can influence remarkably the final energetic yield of the crop. The main objective of the present study was to monitor the time course of dry matter and sugar content in sweet sorghum stem over a long-time storage period. The analysis was carried out by dividing the stems into portions of different length in order to test different storage configuration by varying the stem portion stored to simulate the action of different harvest machines. This work has been designed to take into account a larger storage window respect previous experimentation. The research has provided evidence that sugar loss during the storage is highly influenced by the length of the stem portion, as well as by storage conditions. Total sugar content at harvest was on average 23.2%. The decreasing of sugar content continued during the storage period but at different rate for the different portions. At the end of storage, the sugar content of the whole stem was on average 6.6%, while the smallest portion (1/16 of the whole stem) had an average content of 1.0%. Indications on best storage conditions (storage form, storage location, storage ambient condition), as well as technical details regarding new potential harvesting solutions to decrease the speed rate of sugar loss have been provided.
Industrial Crops and Products, Dec 1, 2016
Abstract Cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus L.) is a promising crop for utilizing marginal lands. In th... more Abstract Cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus L.) is a promising crop for utilizing marginal lands. In these terrains, the lack of adequate tillage or soil levelling and the excessive presence of stones requires a high cutting height during harvesting, with remarkable biomass loss occurring. CREA-ING designed a new flexible bar driven by a system for sensing and signalling the presence of obstacles during the forward of motion of a combine harvester. A test-track was prepared to monitor the activation sequence of three sensor systems placed on the cutter bar as follows: four piston transducers measuring the flexion of the blade and counter-blade, two opposite wire transducers computing the movements of the blade-holder hinged on the left and right side of the frame, and one wire transducer placed between the head and the combine for measuring the lifting of the head operated by the hydraulic system. The combine was driven at an average speed of 0.7 km h −1 on a row of progressively higher obstacles (from 10 to 40 cm) placed in lateral, intermediate and central positions. The tests were carried out in the left half of the cutter bar. The output sent by the different sensors varied as a function of their position and the position of the obstacle, thus highlighting that the presence of an obstacle was correctly perceived by the sensor system. The signals originated from the left and right transducers had opposite trends. At the narrow “bell-shape” showed by the graph of the left transducer corresponded to a “reversed” bell generated by the right transducer, thus representing graphically the flexibility of the bar. The four piston transducers detected the necessary flexion, then lift and return the cutter bar to the starting point in response to each obstacle. The head lifting varied from 1.25 s to 2.51 s, but a threshold value could be observed as follows: below 25 cm the lifting occurred between 1.0 s and 1.5 s, while for higher obstacles the head lifting required 2.0–2.5 s. Such movement was the result of the signals sent by the sensors to the control unit before the head lifting began. The difference between the input sent by the transducers and the head lifting ranged from 1.22 s to 2.54 s in relation to the position of the obstacle. The tests showed that the head elements activated efficiently during the overcoming of an obstacle. However, if increasing speeds are needed, the reduction of Δ Act or D sig will require a modification of the electrohydraulic components.
Biomass & Bioenergy, Dec 1, 2017
Pruning residues can provide a significant amount of biomass despite being rarely used as a renew... more Pruning residues can provide a significant amount of biomass despite being rarely used as a renewable sources to replace fossil fuels. Exploiting such residues entails creating a sustainable and cost-effective supply chain in which the harvesting and initial processing of the residues play a crucial role. The study is a detailed and accurate survey of the harvesting technologies available in Europe for harvest pruning. After defining the main harvest technologies and the distribution of manufacturers in Europe, the survey details the main groups of implements: shredders, chippers and balers. For each group, the most important configurations are discussed, together with the main characteristics of the machine. Some of the main innovations are detailed (modular machines, non-stop balers, densification of the biomass) which can improve the quality of the product and the economic sustainability of the chain.
European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Proceedings, 2015
Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) is currently harvested using the common self-propelled forage harves... more Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) is currently harvested using the common self-propelled forage harvesters (SPFH). Often the product presents a distribution skewed towards the finer particles that can negatively influence the qualitative traits of the fuel and the efficiency of power plants. The Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi Economica-Unità di Ingegneria Agraria, in collaboration with Spapperi Ltd, has designed and developed a prototype for cutting and sectioning the Arundo plants in order to produce a higher proportion of chips longer than the ones obtainable from a forage harvester. A study has been conducted to compare the characteristics of the product obtained from the prototype or from a SPFH. The percentage of the finest particle was statistically reduced in the prototype's product. At the same time, the fraction ranging from 6.3 to 12.5 mm arose of about five-to ten-fold. The first results show that the lengthening of the particle size is attainable.
Energies, Dec 13, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Energies, Oct 27, 2017
When orchards reach the end of the productive cycle, the stumps removal becomes a mandatory opera... more When orchards reach the end of the productive cycle, the stumps removal becomes a mandatory operation to allow new soil preparation and to establish new cultivations. The exploitation of the removed stump biomass seems a valuable option, especially in the growing energy market of the biofuels; however, the scarce quality of the material obtained after the extraction compromises its marketability, making this product a costly waste to be disposed. In this regard, the identification of affordable strategies for the extraction and the cleaning of the material will be crucial in order to provide to plantation owners the chance to sell the biomass and offset the extraction costs. Mechanical extraction and cleaning technologies have been already tested on forest stumps, but these systems work on the singular piece and would be inefficient in the conditions of an intensive orchard, where stumps are small and numerous. The objective of this study was to test the possibility to exploit a natural stumps cleaning system through open-air storage. The tested stumps were obtained from two different vineyards, extracted with an innovative stump puller specifically designed for continuous stump removal in intensively-planted orchards. The effects of weathering were evaluated to determine the fuel quality immediately after the extraction and after a storage period of six months with respect to moisture content, ash content, and heating value. Results indicated interesting storage performance, showing also different dynamics depending on the stumps utilized.