Techno-economic analysis of single-pass maize biomass harvest systems.

摘要

This study was focused on the economic impact of corn residue harvest systems on typical grain harvesting. In Chapter 2, the single-pass stover harvest system with several equipment application logistics is examined; in Chapter 3, both existing and potential single-pass cob harvest systems were evaluated with respect to harvest work time length, equipment and labor requirements, harvest cost, and post-harvest costs related to residue collection. Residue collection actually increased harvest time due to the lower harvest rate caused by additional material passing through the combine. Field traffic increased as additional equipment is required during harvesting; an increased labor requirement was also an important result in all harvest scenarios. In the stover single-pass harvest scenario, increasing on-board stover density helped to significantly reduce equipment and labor requirements. Nutrient replacement and long-term field side storage needs related to the residue harvest also contributed to harvest cost and could not be neglected.