Biomass harvesting system

A biomass harvesting system for harvesting agricultural plant growth from agricultural fields comprises a power source for providing mechanical and electric power to the system, a biomass accumulator for producing discrete units of accumulated biomass, a windrower for feeding biomass to the accumulator, a biomass quality analyzer for sensing and transmitting a set of quality characteristics of the biomass, a ground cover residue monitor for sensing and transmitting an optimal quantity of biomass residue to remain on the field, an active tracking system for identifying individual ones of the discrete units of accumulated biomass, and a central processing unit including a memory module storing an executable instruction set therein. The central processing unit executes the instruction set and integrates the sensed biomass quality characteristics and the sensed optimal quantity of biomass residue to remain on the field to determine a biomass quality index of the discrete units of accumulated biomass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to agricultural harvesting systems in general and more particularly to a system for the selective collection of plant growth commonly known as biomass.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

In recent years our society and the world in general has become increasingly more and more energy dependent. The resulting rise in energy demands have coupled with rising costs for petroleum based fuels to kindle an increased interest in alternative fuels that once may have been considered too costly to produce. Of particular interest are fuel sources that are considered to be ‘renewable.’ One of these renewable and alternative energy sources is commonly referred to as biomass.

Biomass generally includes living and recently dead biological material which can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Most commonly, biomass refers to plant matter grown for use as biofuel, but it also includes plant or animal matter used for production of fibers, chemicals or heat. Biomass may also include biodegradable wastes that can be burned as fuel, but it excludes organic material which has been transformed by geological processes into substances known as fossil fuels such as coal or petroleum.

Typical sources of biomass include several plants such as miscanthus, switchgrass, hemp, corn, poplar, willow and sugarcane. The particular plant used is usually not very important to the end products, but it does affect the processing of the raw material. Production of biomass is a growing industry as interest in sustainable fuel sources is growing. While the term biomass is also useful to identify plants where some of the plant's internal structures may not always be considered living tissue, such as the wood of a tree, and even though this biomass was produced from plants that convert sunlight into plant material through photosynthesis, the use of the term ‘biomass’ herein is by definition limited to agricultural plant growth that is harvested on a regular and periodic basis as part of an agricultural enterprise.

A major source of this biomass results from agricultural activities wherein the plant growth is produced specifically as a biomass product or alternatively is the residue of grain based agricultural crops. Traditionally, agricultural crop residues have been left on the field and reworked into the field's topsoil layer with the intent to return those nutrients removed during the crop's growth cycle and stored in the residue. Studies have revealed that sufficient and even optimal tilth levels in the topsoil layer can be maintained by returning only a fraction of the agricultural crop residue from a particular growth cycle. Until recently, there has been no particular incentive to remove the excess residue from agricultural fields other than for other agricultural uses such as bedding materials or low grade feed for agricultural livestock. However, with the interest in biomass as a renewable energy source, biomass can also now be considered an additional income source from the agricultural growth cycle to supplement the income derived from the harvested grains.

The desire to also harvest biomass from agricultural fields is tempered by the necessary caution to refrain from removing an excess of biomass and thus gradually depleting the topsoil nutrient levels after successive years of harvests. The nutrient needs of the topsoil vary geographically and even vary within the boundaries of a particular field such that determining harvestable quantities is location specific problem and not governed by general parameters applicable across an entire field. Such determinations must be made by an intelligent system that analyzes the topsoil layer concurrent with the harvesting of the biomass.

Thus, what is desired is a biomass harvesting system that efficiently removes the maximum quantity of biomass from a field while leaving sufficient biomass to minimize wind and water erosion and maintain soil tilth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a biomass harvesting system that satisfies the need for a system to efficiently harvest biomass of agricultural plant growth from an agricultural field while intelligently analyzing the topsoil characteristics to assist in determining the quantity of agricultural plant growth to harvest. The biomass harvesting system comprises in operative combination a power source for providing mechanical and electric power to the system, a biomass accumulator for producing discrete units of accumulated biomass and a windrower for feeding biomass to said biomass accumulator. The system also includes a biomass quality analyzer for determining a set of quality characteristics of the accumulated biomass, a dirt control system for controlling the quantity of dirt in the accumulated biomass, and a ground cover residue monitor for determining on optimal quantity of biomass residue to remain on the agricultural field. An active tracking system identifies individual ones of the discrete units of accumulated biomass.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of harvesting agricultural plant growth biomass from agricultural fields including the steps of chopping the agricultural plant growth with a chopping unit of a windrower during repeated passes over the agricultural field and windrowing the chopped agricultural plant growth with a windrower for feeding into a biomass accumulator. The chopped and windrowed agricultural plant growth is then scanned with a spectrum analyzer to determine the quality characteristic of the biomass. The ground surface is further scanned with a ground cover residue monitor to determine the quantity of ground cover residue remaining on the agricultural field after windrowing. The chopping unit of the windrower is adjusted to regulate at least one quality characteristic of the biomass and to further regulate, as a function of the sensed ground cover residue quantity, a revised quantity of ground cover residue to remain on the agricultural field after windrowing. The windrowed agricultural plant growth is accumulated into a discrete biomass unit whereupon an identification file with an active tracking system is created for individual ones of the discrete units of accumulated biomass, the identification file at least including quality characteristics of the discrete accumulated biomass unit. The identification file is then associated with the discrete accumulated biomass unit.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a biomass harvesting system for harvesting agricultural plant growth from agricultural fields comprises a power source for providing mechanical and electric power to the system, a biomass accumulator for producing discrete units of accumulated biomass, a windrower for feeding biomass to the accumulator, a biomass quality analyzer for sensing and transmitting a set of quality characteristics of the biomass, a ground cover residue monitor for sensing and transmitting an optimal quantity of biomass residue to remain on the field, an active tracking system for identifying individual ones of the discrete units of accumulated biomass, and a central processing unit including a memory module storing an executable instruction set therein. The central processing unit executes the instruction set and integrates the sensed biomass quality characteristics and the sensed optimal quantity of biomass residue to remain on the field to determine a biomass quality index of the discrete units of accumulated biomass.

Still another aspect of the invention is a biomass harvesting system for harvesting agricultural plant growth from agricultural fields including a power source for providing mechanical and electric power to said system, a biomass accumulator for producing discrete units of accumulated biomass, a windrower for feeding biomass to said biomass accumulator, a biomass quality analyzer for sensing and transmitting a set of quality characteristics of the accumulated biomass, a soil chemical analyzer for sensing in real-time and transmitting soil chemical characteristics of the agricultural field soil, an active tracking system for associating a specific geographical location of the agricultural field with said biomass quality characteristics and said sensed soil chemical characteristics, and a central processing unit including a memory module storing an executable instruction set therein. The central processing unit executes the instruction set and integrates the sensed biomass quality characteristics and the sensed soil chemical characteristics of the agricultural field to determine in real-time and in accordance with the executed instruction set a quantity of biomass to remain on said agricultural field.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning to the drawings,FIG. 1shows a biomass harvesting system20which is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and illustrates its various components. Biomass harvesting system20is operating in an agricultural field12for harvesting in a single pass manner agricultural plant growth14, here depicted as residual corn stalks remaining after the prior grain harvesting of the corn plants, for the purpose of creating discrete biomass units16such as individual bales of cornstalks. While the harvesting system20is shown as harvesting cornstalks14, those practiced in the art will readily recognize that the concepts embodied herein are generally applicable to all biomass harvesting systems, and that agricultural plant growth14can comprise plant growth produced specifically as a biomass product or alternatively, as shown, is the residue of grain based agricultural crops after harvesting the grain.

Referring now toFIG. 2, biomass harvesting system20includes a power source such as an internal combustion engine22mounted on a chassis frame24for providing mechanical and electrical power to biomass harvesting system20. As shown, biomass harvester20is a self propelled unit including an enclosed cab26in which an operator can sit to control the harvester20and monitor its various subsystems.

Also mounted on the chassis24is a biomass accumulator30. Biomass accumulator30as shown is a baler that produces a series of discrete biomass units16(FIG. 1) or bales of harvested agricultural growth14. Operation of a baler is well known in the industry and is briefly described herein for clarity. A collecting apron32receives a windrow of biomass for harvesting from a windrower50(discussed in further detail below). Collecting apron32delivers the windrow of harvested biomass to a pre-chopper34where the biomass is reduced to smaller pieces to facilitate a uniform density of the final bale of biomass. A predefined quantity of biomass is then captured by a sweep arm or conveyor35and delivered to a pre-compression chamber36where the predefined quantity of biomass is formed into an individual flake and inserted into compression chamber38. A bale is comprised of a plurality of individual flakes compressed together in compression chamber38. Compression chamber38includes adjustable sides39that are selectively adjustable to constrict or open the cross-sectional area of the compression chamber end45. Adjusting sides39to increase constriction results in higher density bales while conversely, decreasing constriction results in lower density bales. Thus, the density of the biomass bales produced can be selectively controlled by the operator to meet specific demands. Once the series of accumulated flakes reaches a predefined volume, needles43travel through needle guards44to thread a series of twine strands through the series of accumulated flakes in compression chamber38. In such manner, the twine strands fed from twine spools41in twine rack40completely surround the series of flakes whereupon knotting mechanism42securely ties ends of the twine strands in knots thereby securing the plurality of flakes together in a single bale16. As bales16continue to exit from compression chamber end45, bales16are temporarily supported on trailing platform46until completely exited from compression chamber38whereupon bales16are allowed to fall to the ground for later retrieval.

Biomass harvesting system20has a windrower50mounted at a front thereof. Windrower50can collect pre-cut or pre-chopped biomass from a wide swath or, as shown, comprises a housing52operatively retaining a chopping unit54for simultaneously chopping the agricultural plant growth14and delivering the chopped plant growth14to a transporter60, here shown as an auger62. Alternatively, transporter60can comprise a mesh belt (not shown). Transporter60accumulates the chopped plant growth from the entire swath width covered by windrower50and delivers the chopped plant growth to a central windrow exit69for discharge onto collecting apron32. Chopping unit54typically comprises one or more rotating drums56to which are pivotally affixed a plurality of flail knives58. Those practiced in the art will readily recognize that flail knives can conform to a plurality of design configurations known in the agricultural industry.

The biomass harvesting system20further includes additional subsystems for analyzing the quality of the biomass being harvested, and the condition of the agricultural field topsoil to optimize the quantity and quality of the biomass bales16produced thereby. Several determinations must be made by an intelligent system that analyzes the topsoil layer concurrent with the harvesting of the biomass. In such a manner, harvesting system20includes a central processing unit28that has a memory module with an executable instruction set stored therein. Central processing unit28executing the instruction set integrates the operation of biomass accumulator30and windrower50with subsystems such as biomass quality analyzer70, dirt control system63, ground cover residue monitor76, active tracking system81and soil chemical analyzer90to maximize the biomass quality and quantity being harvested while providing agricultural field12with sufficient biomass residue for erosion control and nutrient replenishment.

Biomass quality analyzer70comprises a spectrometer71that receives electronic signals from a sensor head78positioned in proximity to the path of the biomass as the biomass transits through biomass accumulator30. Spectrometer71samples via sensor head72the biomass throughput at predetermined time intervals. Spectrometer71chemically analyzes the spectral signature of the biomass entering the pre-compression chamber36of baler30. This spectrometer data is analyzed to extract relevant chemical quality data of the biomass, determining such characteristics as moisture, dirt, cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, fungal contamination and other characteristics. Individual sample signals are integrated across all of the biomass sampled and compressed into each discrete bale16. The integrated quality data is transmitted to central processing unit28for further processing according to the executable instruction set.

Referring now toFIGS. 2, and5-7, the dirt control system63utilizes the dirt levels sensed by biomass quality analyzer70to determine if the amount of dirt contained in the biomass is at an acceptable level, or if there is excessive dirt in the biomass. If the dirt level is determined to be excessive, the excess dirt and other unwanted particles must be sifted out of the biomass stream. The central processing unit28issues commands to perform tasks individually or in combination to adjust the speed of harvesting system20across agricultural field12, to raise or lower the height of chopping unit54above the surface of agricultural field12, and to adjust the rotational speed of chopping unit54to reduce the amount of dirt picked up by flail knives58. Further, operational speed of transporter60is modifiable in response to commands from central processor28.

Transporter60, as shown, has at least one auger62in a slotted housing64for feeding the biomass to windrow exit69. Slotted housing64includes first and second arcuate housing members65,66wherein first arcuate housing member65is nested within second arcuate housing member66. Each housing member65,66defines a plurality of slots67,68respectively or apertures in a lower portion thereof in a predefined and substantially identical pattern such that translation of first housing member65with respect to second housing member66will vary the final slot size for allowing dirt and particulate materials to be sifted out of the biomass being trans-ported therealong. Such translation is represented inFIG. 5by angular displacement ‘D.’

When quality sensor72detects an excess of dirt or unwanted particulates in the biomass, the excess dirt signal is transmitted to central processing unit28, and in response thereto central processing unit28commands slotted housing64to adjust the alignment of slots67,68to enlarge the slot openings and thereby increase the sifting out of unwanted dirt and particulates. Alternatively, transport60can comprise a mesh belt of variable composition which allows dirt to fall through (not shown). Further dirt control system can be augmented by an air stream (not shown) with adjustable volume and pressure controls for directing air over and through the biomass to assist in dirt and fine particulate removal.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, harvesting system20also includes a ground cover residue monitor system76comprising an analyzer77and an associated sensor head78mounted on sensor bar48positioned behind windrower50. Ground cover residue monitor system76can be either a spectroscopy based system or an imaging analysis base system. In use, sensor head78scans the surface of agricultural field12during operation of harvesting system20and transmits associated electrical signals to analyzer77for determination of the quantity of agricultural plant growth14remaining on the surface of agricultural field12. The quantity data in turn is transmitted to central processing unit28which in response to the executed instruction set determines the desired quantity of agricultural plant growth14to remain on the surface of agricultural field12for proper nutrient retention and erosion control. If central processing unit28determines the amount of agricultural plant growth14to be left on field12requires modification, associated control signals are transmitted to windrower50to increase or decrease the size of the slots in slotted housing64and, in combination therewith or independently therefrom, to raise or lower chopping unit with respect to the surface of agricultural field12.

A soil chemical analyzer90can also be integrated with biomass harvesting system20. Soil chemical analyzer90typically comprises a spectrometer92and at least one sensor head93embedded within a soil penetration element91. Soil penetration element91is mounted to sensor bar48and includes provisions for being selectively movable between a first position raised above the surface of agricultural field12and a second position wherein the soil penetration element91is engaged within the topsoil layer of agricultural field12. Typically, soil penetration element91is a knife-edged blade that penetrates from one to six inches below ground surface. Sensor head93is embedded in a side of element91such that periodic samples of the topsoil chemical composition can be sensed as sensor head93passes the soil at a predetermined depth. A vertical chemical profile of the topsoil layer can be obtained by embedding a plurality of sensor heads93in a vertically spaced arrangement in soil penetration element91. Each sensor head93is associated with a compatible spectrum analyzer92and samples the chemical composition at its predetermined depth. The resulting chemical composition data is transmitted to central processing unit28for compilation into a spatial map of the chemical composition of agricultural field12. Further, the derived chemical composition data can be utilised by central processing unit28to aid in determining the quantity of agricultural plant growth14to remain on agricultural field12after harvesting of the biomass. Excess removal of agricultural plant growth costs the producer by requiring alternative costly means of replacing nutrients.

Harvesting system20would also ideally be tied into an active tracking system81that provides location specific geographic information such as a global positioning system. Global positioning system includes a GPS antenna83mounted on harvesting system20and interconnected with GPS receiver84which is also integrated with central processing unit28. As an alternative, tracking devices can be affixed to individual bales16by utilising a radio frequency identification (RFID) system86that attaches an RFID tag87to each biomass bale16. In operation, and with utilization of a GPS system in operable association with central processing unit28, an identification file for an individual bale16is created wherein the identification file includes geographical location and quality characteristics of the bale16. In addition, trailing platform46can also include a weight sensor47that is typically strain gauge based for determining the weight of individual bales16for inclusion in the data file for each bale16. The bale16location is later recalled when the bale is collected and is thus positionally tracked throughout its handling. Alternatively, when an RFID system86is incorporated in operable association with central processing unit28, an identification file is created for an individual bale16of accumulated biomass. The identification file includes quality characteristics of individual bale16and the identification file is transferred to a radio frequency identification tag87for attachment to bale16upon creation thereof. In such manner and as long as tag87is attached to bale16, the individual unique quality characteristics of each bale16are readily available by electronically reading the identification file stored thereon.

The location specific geographic information system is important because it allows biomass units to be aggregated, stored, transported and processed in a non-linear manner. For example, discrete biomass units such as bales16harvested with elevated moisture content and hence susceptible to uncontrolled decay can be aggregated and preferentially processed while ambient environmental conditions are cold enough to inhibit spoilage.

FIG. 8illustrates an alternate embodiment of a modular biomass harvesting system120. Modular system120includes a tractor123for providing mechanical and electrical power to harvesting system120. A toolbar125is attached to tractor123and in turn at least one windrower150and alternatively a second windrower151are attached to toolbar125for being drawn through an agricultural field12. Windrowers150,151operate in a similar manner with similar features as windrower50as described above. One or both windrowers150,151have mounted to a rear portion thereof a ground cover residue monitor sensor head178and a soil chemical analyzer190that operate in similar manner as ground cover residue monitor sensor head78and soil chemical analyzer90for harvesting system20as described above. A biomass accumulator130is also attached to toolbar125and is positioned to trail behind windrowers150and151in such a manner to simultaneously gather the biomass streams118and119from windrowers150and151respectively. Biomass accumulator130is typically a baler that is of a standard and known design for producing bales116. Baler130also has associated therewith a biomass quality analyzer170for sensing quality characteristics of the biomass transiting baler130. System120also includes an active tracking system for attaching RFID tags187and for geographical positioning utilizing a GPS system as evidence by GPS antenna183on tractor123. A central processing unit (not shown) integrates all sensor subsystems and can be located in tractor123or another convenient location on modular harvesting system120.

In use, and referring again to biomass harvesting system20, system20is utilized for harvesting agricultural plant growth14from agricultural fields12. Initially, the agricultural plant growth14is chopped with a chopper unit54of a windrower50during repeated passes over the agricultural field and windrowing the chopped agricultural plant growth14with windrower50for feeding into biomass accumulator30. The chopped and windrowed agricultural plant growth14is then scanned with a biomass quality analyzer70to determine the quality characteristic of the biomass. The ground surface is further scanned with a ground cover residue monitor76to determine the quantity of ground cover residue remaining on the agricultural field12after windrowing. The chopping unit54of the windrower50is adjusted to regulate at least one quality characteristic of the biomass such as the dirt content as sensed by biomass quality analyzer70and to further regulate, as a function of the sensed ground cover residue quantity, a revised quantity of ground cover residue to remain on the agricultural field12after windrowing. The windrowed agricultural plant growth14is accumulated into a discrete biomass unit such as a bale16whereupon an identification file with an active tracking system81is created for individual ones of the bales16. The identification file includes quality characteristics of bale16. The identification file is then associated with bale16by either attaching an RFID tag87or assigning a GPS geographic identifier with the bale16for later recovery. A soil chemical analyzer90can further be used to pass a soil penetration element91having sensors93embedded therein through the topsoil layer of the agricultural field12to determine the vertical chemical profile of the topsoil and further utilizing this chemical data to partially determine the proper adjustment of the windrower50.

The collection, analysis and integration of biomass composition, soil surface residue and soil chemical analysis in real-time is important as is the use of real-time quality information in biomass harvesting and marketing. As utilised in the descriptions herein, real-time data refers to quality characteristics of the collected biomass at the time it is collected and with reference to the specific location on the agricultural field from which it is collected in order to assign a quality rating or quality index to a discrete biomass unit16. Further, reference to real-time soil chemical analysis refers to the sensed chemical analysis at the specific geographical location of the field within set area parameters defined by the instruction set executed by central processing unit28. The user can predefine within the instruction set executed by central processing unit28the particular soil chemical characteristics desired to be maintained in the agricultural field12from which the biomass14is being harvested. The user can also predefine within the instruction set executed by central processing unit28the ranges of specific parameters relating to quality levels of the harvested biomass14to quantifiably give each biomass unit16a quality rating or quality index. The quality ratings can also conform to uniform standards predetermined by a government agency such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Residual soil surface residue levels define maximum allowable biomass harvest rates since surface residue levels directly affect the potential for wind erosion and water erosion. There is significant spatial variability in above surface biomass residue which requires real-time analysis. In general, biomass residue levels are related to grain yield which also exhibits significant spatial variability. To maximize biomass harvest while meeting surface residue needs, the percentage of biomass harvested has to be continually adjusted in real-time. Indeed, USDA (the regulatory agency for this parameter) is not interested in average levels across a field but insuring that minimum levels are met at all locations within the field.

Acceptable harvest rates of biomass14may be influenced by near-surface root mat density which may be determined in real-time by soil chemical analysis utilising soil chemical analyzer90. A good example of this effect may be the harvest of biomass from a plant species (grass) whose roots form a “sod” layer at the soil surface.

Acceptable harvest rates of biomass14may also be influenced by soil chemical composition which may exhibit extreme spatial variation across a field. A portion of the surface biomass residue resulting from the production of an agricultural crop may be (depending upon tillage practices, the local environment, soil insect/worms, etc.) incorporated into the soil profile through natural and/or agricultural practices. If organic matter in the soil is below a desired level, it may be desirable to leave additional biomass residue on the soil surface. Similarly, if the surface biomass residue is high in a specific nutrient which the soil is deficient in, it may be desirable to increase the unharvested fraction of surface biomass residue.

The kind and quantity of organic matter in the soil is important. Typical fractions may be lignin, cellulose and hemi-cellulose. These components are the building blocks of any plant's cell walls. However, soil is actually a complex ecological environment with hundreds of thousands of different species of microbes (aerobic, anaerobic and facultative) archaea, insects, mites, etc. These represent the living organic matrix of the soil. In addition, soil includes other discreet components such as humus and biochar. The levels of all of the above can be used to define a minimum and optimum level of unharvested biomass14to remain on the surface of the agricultural field12.

At the same time, there can easily be too much surface residue left on a field. Farmers have fought this issue for millennia through surface tillage and/or the routine burning of surface biomass residues. High soil surface residue levels result in reduced soil drying which is frequently required for the conduct of routine agricultural production activities such as: High soil moisture levels and low soil oxygen levels which may promote the development of crop diseases, insect infestations; Cool soil temperatures which inhibit seed germination, etc. Surface tillage can be undesirable because tillage operations generally destroy soil texture/tilth, promote the oxidation of organic matter through the introduction of excess oxygen, etc. Hence, the goal is to remove the optimum amount of surface residue14to further optimize the chemical composition and environmental characteristics of agricultural field12.

The chemical composition of the soil in agricultural field12is important because all plants require nutrients for growth, and inadequate supplies of essential nutrients result in reduced plant productivity (grain, biomass, etc.). However, providing excess water soluble nutrients can result in those nutrients entering the water supply and creating an environmental problem (such as hypoxia in the Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico, etc.). If a specific soil nutrient level is high or excessive, and the crop residue is also high in that nutrient, it may be desirable to increase the removal rate of biomass14.

At the same time, different soil fractions may have the ability to reversibly bind specific soil nutrients keeping them out of the water supply while allowing plants to access that nutrient for growth. Examples might include biochar, humus, etc. Therefore, this data is important in defining minimum, maximum, or optimum removal rates of biomass14from agricultural field12.

Knowledge of the chemical composition of the biomass14being harvested is also important. When many agricultural crops dry down at maturity, the moisture level in various parts of the plant may vary dramatically. For example, in maize, the grain may have 15 percent moisture early in the harvest season but the stalk may have 60% moisture. Later in the harvesting season, both fractions may be 15%.

Biomass14such as maize fodder baled at 60% moisture is fundamentally different than fodder baled at 15%. At 60% moisture, uncontrolled microbiological decay starts almost immediately unless controlled by cold storage conditions, by the addition of chemical preservatives, by the addition of biological preservatives, or by immediate secondary drying processes. Handling fodder with 60% moisture may also require different equipment, approaches, etc.

If the process for utilising harvested biomass14requires particle reduction (i.e., grinding, etc.), knowledge of the moisture levels is critical to the physical process of particle size reduction. A requirement to reduce the particle size of biomass14used in a specific application may require the additional step of physically drying the biomass prior to processing. This can be expensive, due to energy costs and the need for additional specialized processing equipment, and also a technically difficult process.

Different utilization technology needs for biomass14can be optimized for different kinds of biomass and for biomass with different chemical compositions. For example, these utilization technologies can include gasification, fast pyrolysis, papermaking, co-firing combustion, fermentation, etc. Many fermentation systems focus exclusively on utilization of the cellulose fraction. Therefore, segregating biomass collection units16(such as bales) of a given type (maize stalks) with high levels of cellulose from those with low levels of cellulose provides numerous benefits. The producer can segregate bales to enable value-added opportunities and sell bales based upon cellulose content. The processor can optimize process design or operation to increase product yield and reduce product cost. Studies have shown that if one was producing ethanol from maize stalks, a dry ton of high cellulose biomass would yield 30% more ethanol than a dry ton of low cellulose biomass and reduce the cost per gallon by a similar amount.

The above factors are functions of the chemical composition of the agricultural field soil12and quality characteristics of the harvested biomass14which, in turn, are sensed and biomass quality analyzer70, dirt control system63, ground cover residue monitor76, and soil chemical analyzer90in conjunction with geographical field positioning as one of the functions of active tracking system81. The sensed data points are then transmitted by these sensors to central processing unit28which, through execution of the stored instruction set, integrates the sensed data points to determine the quality index of the accumulated biomass units16and the quantity of biomass to be harvested from or to remain on the agricultural field12in real time. Those practiced in the art will recognize that this system can function with multiple-pass harvesting systems as well as single-pass harvesting systems utilizing positional data from active tracking system81.