FBRI & the Middle School Connection

Survey of Various Logging Equipment and Its Relative Capacity to Harvest Biomass in Maine
Ian Stone

Adviser: Dr. Benjamin

The purpose of this project is to determine the amount and types of logging equipment utilized throughout the state of Maine. This project should provide knowledge about equipment that can be used in biomass energy harvests. Previous studies have used mail surveys of loggers to determine unused logging capacities (Egan et al 2006). Comprehensive knowledge of the amount of various pieces of equipment in operation would be very useful to determine the amount of equipment currently in use that has the potential to harvest biomass for energy purposes. The study will also show if loggers could use current equipment to harvest biomass for this emerging market, or if new equipment will have to be purchased. To accomplish this, a phone survey of insurance agents will be conducted. Results from this survey will establish whether most of the insurance is underwritten by in-state companies. If it is determined that in-state companies hold a majority of the market share, information from these companies will then be used to determine types of equipment that are being insured. Since even used logging equipment is quite expensive, almost all contractors would have a note on their equipment. Due to this fact, little to no logging equipment would be uninsured and the data from the insurance companies should capture 90 percent or better of the equipment. A second survey of logging contractors will be used to determine the logging systems they employ, whether they carry insurance on their equipment, and the amount of fuel that is used and relative efficiencies. In addition to these basic questions several questions will be asked to determine logger perceptions toward biomass harvest and their willingness to engage in this market. Expected findings are that the underwriter insurance companies’ records will provide sound information on the amount of equipment in use. In addition, the survey response rate from logging contractors is expected to be low, but the response rate in the sample should correspond well to the information from the insurance companies. If this is true, it means that information obtained from insurance companies about the logging equipment insured is likely what logging equipment is actually being used. This information can then be used in the future to determine combinations of equipment that could possibly be used in biomass harvests, as well as what equipment, if any, the average logger would need to purchase to break into this market.

Interview with Ian Stone on July 7, 2008 (39:31 minutes)

http://www.kids.union.edu/fsnChromatography.htm

During this chromatography experiment students are going to see how things that are seemingly the same such as pen ink or trees are very different and have very unique properties. The students will be able to see how something such as litmus paper can be used to detect slight differences in substances. This technique is being used in crime labs, to detect chemical weapons using bio-active paper, and identify whether specific molecules are present to turn wood into specific chemicals. Students are going to be able to see that the tests that they are doing in the lab are really used in the field, giving the experiment new importance.

http://www.plastics.com/slime.php

The purpose of this lab is for students to synthesize large chain molecules called polymers. Students wear and carry dozens of polymers every day. Polymers make up all sorts of things such as calculator parts, pens, clothes, and many other things. Polymers are long chains of molecules that are linked together like paper clips to form a long polymer chain. During this chemical reaction students can observe how the starting materials and ending material are drastically different, demonstrating how such unique things can be made. They will be able to see how mills can start with a tree and make many things, such as paper, ethanol, acetic acid, and fuel.