Process-Technological Evaluation of Harvesting Hemp in Winter
2013
Hoffmann, Thomas | Pecenka, Ralf | Schemel, Hartmut | Gusovius, Hans-Joerg
The objective of the project was the evaluation of potential possibilities of hemp harvest in the winter for Germany, considered its average climate conditions. Prerequisite for a harvest is that hemp straw achieves low moisture content suitable for storage. For this purpose, hemp stalks were sampled regularly from a hemp field in Potsdam (Germany) between January 2010 and March 2011 to determine their dry matter (DM) content. By the end of February, the hemp stalks achieved a dry matter content of 90%. To obtain information about the weather-related hemp straw moisture sorption isotherms of hemp stalks were determined in a climate chamber, and the change of material moisture of the stalks was measured under changing humidity levels. Based on the findings, an algorithm for estimating available harvesting times for several years was developed. Results show that significant harvesting times may be achieved in the months of February and March.
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