Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Biofuels: The purpose of the bioproducts module was to investigate the baseline chemical properties of Alaskan biomass from a fundamental and applied standpoint. Some of this information has been incorporated into a USDA Forest Service general technical report publication (P.L. Wilson et al., 2010), and used as information in NRM 453 Harvesting and Utilization of Forest Products course at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Onetree: The most significant outputs of the OneTree project were series of newspaper articles and TV and radio news articles/interviews featuring OneTree generated during the program's active two-year period. This work, spearheaded by SNRAS' Public Relations Officer, Nancy Tarnai, is responsible for how well known the project became throughout the community. The Fairbanks daily newspaper and various university-wide communication outlets picked up the articles. Another significant output was created by three public OneTree science/art exhibits, at which over 750 project brochures were distributed. An estimated 1600 people viewed the work of over 20 local artists, 22 teachers from 11 schools and 600 students. Non-destructive testing of wood: This undergraduate senior thesis project was designed, conducted, report written and presented to faculty and students at UAF. Carbon Credits for Alaska: An overview of a cap and trade system, the role of offsets and the potential for Alaska's forest stakeholders was researched and the main output for this was two publications. Birch lumber product recovery and drying characteristics: 16 sawlog-sized birch trees were harvested for a milling study. The tops and branches were utilized for OneTree for art and science projects. Another 20 birch trees were recovered from a road expansion and upgrade for the study. All were milled into boards, dried and graded. Results will go into the Alaska Wood Handbook being developed and into a general technical report. Workshops: Log cabin building: A class was held at Palmer Research Station with 8 students who learned how to construct a cabin from underutilized Alaska aspen. Several articles were written by local newspapers showcasing cabin. Three workshops were conducted for Southeastern Alaska Forest Products industry: Condition Assessment of Wood Structures, Lean Manufacturing for the Wood Products Industry, and Total Productive Maintenance were held in 2 communities in SE Alaska. The Condition Assessment workshop was presented in Juneau, AK at the Alaska Department of Transportation regional office. The 25 public agency and private firm participants attended 4 hours in the classroom, followed by a 3 hour hands-on inspection and demonstration at a local timber bridge. The last 2 workshops were presented in Thorne Bay at the USDA Forest Service regional headquarters. There were 10 participants from 8 companies based on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska in the Lean Manufacturing workshop. At the hands-on workshop attendees received a copy of the presentation materials. There were 6 participants from 4 companies from Prince of Wales Island for the Total Productive Maintenance for the Woods Product Industry workshop. PARTICIPANTS: Bioproducts: Dr. Andy Soria and Magdalena King, UAF and Dr. Armando G. McDonald, University of Idaho- Inland Empire. OneTree: Janice Dawe, UAF, Valerie Barber UAF, 22 teachers (Fairbanks Northstar Borough), grad assistants and students (UAF), Birch Pavlosky, David Spencer Non-destructive testing: Valerie Barber, Larsen Hess, Janice Dawe (all UAF) Carbon Credits: Joe Roos-University of Washington- CINTRAFOR, Valerie Barber UAF, Birch lumber product recovery and drying characteristics: Kevin Curtis, Valerie Barber, Dave Poppert (Poppert Milling), David Spencer, Birch Pavlosky, Janice Dawe Log cabin workshop participants: Valerie Barber, Richard Musick, Mike Musick, Robert Chambers, 8 students SE Alaska Workshops: Brian Brashaw and Robert Vatalaro (University of Minnesota Duluth NRRI, Valerie Barber, Karen Petersen (UAF) TARGET AUDIENCES: Bioproducts: Alternative energy businesses OneTree: Local community, K-12 education community, Non-destructive testing: Carbon Credits: Alaska forestry industry, policy makers, and native corporations. Birch lumber product recovery and drying characteristics: Alaska forest products industry and industry buyers PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Biofuels: Research resulted in the first comprehensive analysis of the basic composition of the predominant species in AK, and their relevant caloric value- a direct effect of the potential for using this biomass in combustion applications. The major species of Alaska woody biomass have drastically different compositions, which can serve as feedstocks for specialty chemical extraction or production. This is in addition to the potential shown by producing a bio-oil that could be catalytically upgraded into drop-in fuels. The results demonstrate the potential use of non-saleable, small diameter timber which can be used in production of new value added product lines for Alaska. Another goal was the establishment and evaluation of syngas production from Alaska woody biomass. The pelletizing potential of different woody species, and their effectiveness in producing a combustible flame through gasification was evaluated. However the prevalence of tars and large molecular weight compounds as shown by GC/MS analysis, indicates the long-term viability of operating a generator using syngas will result in potential failure of a generator unit. Onetree: Project outcomes and impacts were produced by slow, consistent, relationship building with individual K-12 teachers. These individuals, each a stellar educator, spread word about OneTree, so that the project has grown each year. The upper 40 feet or more of each stem, plus smaller limbs and canopy from trees harvested for birch study was used for the OneTree project. All materials were archived to establish chain of custody back to the original tree. There are now 20 schools, 35 teachers and over 900 students involved in OneTree projects. Non-destructive testing of wood: Tables allow use of acoustic thumper to show degree of rot /soundness in a specific tree. This allows for economical harvest of sawlogs for value added product. Carbon Credits: This resulting paper will help policy makers and Alaska forest stakeholders understand the impact of a cap and trade program. Birch lumber product recovery and drying characteristics: New volume and grading tables created for Alaska birch will go into Alaska Wood Handbook and a GTR. The study showcases superior grades of Alaska birch lumber and documents best sawing techniques. Workshops: Log cabin building: Use of aspen cabins promotes use of underutilized species in Alaska. One key outcome from the Condition Assessment of Wood Structures workshop was the purchase of wood inspection equipment by the Alaska Department of Transportation and 2 private firms. The information provided during the workshop will result in the improved inspections of timber structures, lengthening of their service life and improved public safety. The Lean Manufacturing for the Wood Products Industry workshop focused on identification and elimination of the seven manufacturing wastes and was most relevant and important for attendants' manufacturing companies. The Total productive Maintenance for the Woods Product Industry workshop was the most effective in participants understanding the potential for total productive maintenance to improve their efficiency and manufacturing operations.
Publications
- Soria, J.A. (2010). Unlocking hydrocarbons from biomass. Agroborealis, v.41(1), 39-40.
- Wilson, P., Funck, J. and Avery, R, (2010) Fuelwood Characteristics of Northwestern Confiers and Hardwoods (Updated). USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Station, General Technical Report, PNW-GTR-810. 52pp.
- Larsen Hess, December 2008, Less Destructive Testing Of Alaska Birch Stems For Decomposition Using Acoustics, Senior Thesis Roos, J.A, Barber, V, and Brackley, A.M., 2011. Cap and Trade Offsets and Implications for Alaska. PNW-GTR-836.
- Roos, J.A, Barber, V, and Brackley, A.M., 2010. An Overview of Cap and Trade and Carbon Trading. University of Washington Center for International Trade in Forest Products Fall 2010 Research Newsletter
- Barber, V. (2009). Log cabin building workshop: from hangar to woods, Agroborealis, Vol 40 (1), 6-14 Tarnai, Nancy (2010), OneTree in the Tanana Valley, Agroborealis, v.41(1), 19-22
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: I. OneTree: was launched in July during Week in the Woods, a family camp held in the Tanana Valley State Forest outside Fairbanks when a 67-foot tall birch tree was felled, measurements taken, and diverse parts of the tree distributed to camp participants and artisans from town. Target audiences receive information about the project through articles in the area newspaper, radio public service announcements, and on the University and school district websites. Project participants have distributed those announcements more broadly to communities of interest, such as the statewide arts association. II. Biomass and Biofuels: Presentations have been given at regional and national conferences dealing with the conversion and potential uses of Alaskan species into chemical feedstocks. FPS 62nd International Meeting Participant, J. Andres Soria, Assistant Professor of Wood Chemistry, UAF. Society of American Foresters, Alaska Meetings, J. Andres Soria, Assistant Professor of Wood Chemistry, UAF. III. Log cabin building in Sitka, AK: A cabin was built out of secondary growth logs from a watershed project in the Starrigavin Valley in the Sitka Ranger district. The cabin has been reconstructed in the Wrangell Ranger District and is a recreation cabin for the State Park located there. It is the first road accessible cabin in the district. PARTICIPANTS: I. OneTree: Drs. Jan Dawe and Valerie Barber More than two-dozen Fairbanks-based artisans, ten scientists, and forty K-12 teachers have committed to the project. Over the next month, these participants will organize themselves into teams for curriculum development II. Biomass and Biofuels: Dr. Andy Soria is the PI on this project and has an assistant Magdalena King. Collaboration occurred with Armando G. McDonald, Professor of Wood Chemistry and Composites, University of Idaho. III. Log cabin building in Sitka, AK: Richard and Mike Musick instructors. TARGET AUDIENCES: I. OneTree: K-12 students and community members. The first group will be reached through classroom presentations and lesson plans developed specifically for the project; the second through public exhibits of the science and art projects created during the next two school years by area students and community artisans. II. Biomass and Biofuels: Academia, University of Alaska Statewide System, Professional Foresters in Alaska, Small forest products operators in the State. III. Log cabin building in Sitka, AK: Entrepreneurs interested in log cabin construction building, Forest product businesses in Alaska. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: I. OneTree: Originally, the project was designed to be done in three parts of the state simultaneously but this proved logistically difficult. Instead, the project will be done in the three regions, sequentially. During its first year, OneTree is being done with a birch tree in Fairbanks. Next year, the project will continue in Fairbanks. Work with an aspen OneTree will commence in the Palmer/Wasilla area also next year. The third area of the state and target tree species to be worked with will be selected within the next year if funding is available. II. Biomass and Biofuels:None to report. III. Log cabin building in Sitka, AK: none to report
Impacts
I. OneTree:To date about 80 community members, artisans, scientists, and K-12 teachers are involved in the project. A variety of products are being made from the tree's bark, leaves, twigs, and wood, and the first K-12 teacher meeting will be held to plan for introduction of the project into area schools. II. Biomass and Biofuels: A pyrolysis unit was designed and built with the University of Idaho and installed at UAF Palmer Research Center for evaluating woody biomass for producing bio-oil and bio-char. This is the first reactor of its kind in Alaska and will enable for a baseline determination of the characteristics of bio-oil, bio-char and its products. Also, a GEK downdraft gasifier was installed at the UAF Palmer Research Center for evaluating local biomass in the production of combustible syngas. This on-going work will serve as a start to evaluating upgrading options for local biomass in a biorefinery setting to produce high grade fuels and chemicals. III. Log cabin building in Sitka, AK: Twelve students from around SE Alaska participated in the class held at the University of Alaska Sitka Campus. This was a demonstration project to showcase an economic use for secondary growth logs. The hands-on training for the class should help to promote new businesses in the forest products industry in Alaska.
Publications
- Soria, J.A. (2008) Biomass for bio fuels: not all trees are created equal. Agroborealis, Vol 39 (2), pp. 7-9.
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