Progress 07/15/15 to 03/14/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience was primarily comprised of low to middle income households in the colder climates of the United Sates. Foreconomic reasons, this demographic has the propensity to utilize wood or wood by-products as a means of residential heating. The predominent wood based fuel is cordwood, which is readily available and very cost effective. The haylog market target traditional cordwood users that are likely to explore alternative technology for one or more reasons. As an example, the actual amount of wood fuel required during a heating season may be difficult to estimate. Many household do not purchse adequate supplies; since dry cordwood is very scarsein late winter / early spring theyare forced to resort to more expensive heating sources for the balance of the heating season. Manufactured products such as the haylogs can be purchased incrementally and consistantly throughout the heating season, thus minimzingsome additionsl costs related to anticipated supply and demand. Other users such as older or disabled persons may benefit from some of the convenience factors. Haylogs can be delivered on a pallet, and stored neatly and safely within a garage or covered area. They are clean, easy to handle, andinsect-free. An adequate supply of haylogs may be kept inside a dwelling without worriesof insect infestation, mold or other maladies inherent incordwood . Additionaly, since haylogs contain roughly 150% of BTU's by weight as compared with cordwood, haylogs have the capacity to extend the burn time of theappliance, and therefore requireless handling. Research during this project also confirmed that the air quality associated withhaylog combustion is vastly superior to that of traditional wood products. This will allow additional target markets of environmentally concious persons and also persons with some level of respiratory distress. We intend to disseminate information regarding the advantages of haylogs by offering informal traing and education services to distributors of existing wood fuel products, with the intent that they will conveyinformatiion directly to their existing customer base via digital media or POS advertizing. Changes/Problems:There were no significant chages in our approach to this study. All aspects of the testing, production and market development remainedwell within our projected parameters. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided technical datathat will be useful in the training of bio-mass retailers. The information complied during this project can readily be conveyed by the retailers to the consumers since the essence of the results are quite simple;the substitution of haylogs for traditional wood fuels has immediate and lasting positive effects on both the environment andconsumer health. Biomass retailers can become better informed regarding the science behind this innovative product, and develop a better understanding of the environmental effects of the combustion process, How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our research results have been disseminated directly to wholesale and retail suppliers that already have extensive, existibg customer bases. As in any new, innovative product the major barrier to entry is gaining the trust of the consumer. This can best be achieved through the leveraging of existing customer relationships to minimize the perceived risk associated with a new product purchase. As market penetration increases, we are in hopes that the environmentally concoiuos consumer will advocate the product as benefical and socially responsible. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We were successful in achieving both of our major goals duringthe project period. We tested several formulations of haylogs with varied amounts of added starch as a binding agent. Production test runs were conducted with potato starch added at levels between zero and ten percent by volume. Test results were conclusive in that the haylogs containing minimal amounts of added starch (1% - 2%) yield superior overall performance regarding combustion, aestetics and durability. Haylogs produced BTU's of approximately 125% to 160% in relation to traditional dry cordwood species, thus proving the concept of extended burn time for heating appliances. The addition of small amounts of potato starch increaded the binding characteristics, or tensile strenght of the finished material, while providing an attactive luster to the surface of the log. The logs performed exceptionally well regarding durability, and therefore will adequately handle and ship without extrodinary protection. Production rates and costs were within the estimated parameters thus indicating a competetive retail and wholesale cost structure. Regarding Objective #2, we were successful in developing a comprehensive value chain which should optimize timely distributuin of the haylogs. Inboundlodgistical studies identified adequate, long-term predictable supplys of waste hay available at acceptable delivery costs. The supply chain included significant capability of "off-season" or winter storage with minimal additional associated costs. The other consituant raw material ispotato starch, which is in ready supply at all times during the calender yearat very stable price points. Our analysis of outbound lodgistics concluded that wholesale distribution to existing bio-mass retailers was clearly the optimal disposition method. It was essential that bulk shipping was required in order to be cost competitive, and new product market penetration would be best achieved by retailers with an existing customer base. This business model is very simple in nature and may be readily duplicated in rural communities throughout the United States. This approach should allow maximum scalability within a relatively short time frame. The substition of haylogs for traditional bio-mass products such as cordwood will have an immediate positive effect from both the environmental and economic standpoint of rural communities. Significat reductions in "greenhouse" gases and other particuate-type air pollutants are an immediate result of burning haylogs rather that cordwood. Some combustion gases are reduced by up to 90%, and the overall carbon footprint of the haylog is virtually zero. In fact, since more CO2 is absorbed by the regrowth of the hay supply that is produced during combustion, burning haylogs may actally help in the reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Publications
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