ANALYSIS OF THE YIELD POTENTIAL OF VINEYARD CHIPS FOR ENERGY, COMPOSTING AND RAW MATERIAL USE

Abstract

This article focuses on the issue of the utilization of the woody matter generated by vineyard maintenance. This material is generated by regular winter pruning and the disposal of old growth during replanting. In view of current environmental trends, it is not possible to dispose of this material by inappropriate burning on the land as in the past. Instead, it is desirable to use this wood as raw material for further use. In the operating conditions, the authors have determined the yield of the wood mass in the maintenance and disposal of stands of selected varieties. The average wood yield ranged 1,8 – 2,8 t·ha^-1. The lowest yield was recorded for the variety Riesling walrus. The most profitable varieties were St. Lawrence  and Sauvignon. The authors determined the energy and time requirements for disintegration into graft form. The measurements were carried out using a PEZZOLATO 110 Mb chipper driven by a HONDA GX 120 four-stroke petrol engine. During the chipping process it was determined the time required for chipping, weight of the obtained chip, fuel consumption, RPM of the chipping, content of water and mean particle length. From the values of the monitored parameters, the performance of the chipper, the specific energy consumed and the specific gravity were further calculated. The mean chip length was 4,4 – 9,24 mm. The output of the equipment was in the range of 0.5 - 1 m³·h^-1. The specific energy consumption for chipping ranged from 144,6 – 259,8 MJ·t^-1. The wood chips produced from the woody matter generated during vineyard maintenance have potential for energy and material recovery. Given the area and age structure of vineyards, it can be assumed that 24 - 38 thousand tonnes per year will be available in the Czech Republic in the long term. At EU level, the amount of material can be expected to be between 4,2 and 6,7 million tonnes annually.