• Energy Research

The determination of various fuel properties is essential for an optimised operation of wood-fired heat (and power) plants and fair fuel trade. Besides the main parameters such as water content, ash content, and calorific value, the chemical composition is also important. The analysis is usually not performed at the heat (and power) plant directly, but in external analytical laboratories, using standardised methods for solid biofuel characterisation. However, the standard procedures are both time and cost-consuming. Therefore, new rapid analytical methods are required which are suitable on-site. For this, different analytical methods are usable to determine the chemical composition of solid biofuels rapidly. This study evaluates and optimises an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) by a specific calibration for solid biofuel samples. This article shows that a suitable specific calibration can provide a distinct improvement of the measurement results. Additionally, the evaluation indicates that XRF and ICP-OES have no issues with the detection limits (LOD) for minor elements. Still, for trace element measurements, XRF partly reveals distinctly more values below the LOD than ICP-OES. Furthermore, the usability of XRF for the rapid assessment of the ash content is given, especially for lower ash contents <3%. Proceedings of the 30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 9-12 May 2022, Online, pp. 728-733

The determination of various fuel properties is essential for an optimised operation of wood-fired heat (and power) plants and fair fuel trade. Besides the main parameters such as water content, ash content, and calorific value, the chemical composition is also important. The analysis is usually not performed at the heat (and power) plant directly, but in external analytical laboratories, using standardised methods for solid biofuel characterisation. However, the standard procedures are both time and cost-consuming. Therefore, new rapid analytical methods are required which are suitable on-site. For this, different analytical methods are usable to determine the chemical composition of solid biofuels rapidly. This study evaluates and optimises an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) by a specific calibration for solid biofuel samples. This article shows that a suitable specific calibration can provide a distinct improvement of the measurement results. Additionally, the evaluation indicates that XRF and ICP-OES have no issues with the detection limits (LOD) for minor elements. Still, for trace element measurements, XRF partly reveals distinctly more values below the LOD than ICP-OES. Furthermore, the usability of XRF for the rapid assessment of the ash content is given, especially for lower ash contents <3%. Proceedings of the 30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 9-12 May 2022, Online, pp. 728-733

AbstractFuel properties of solid biofuels are essential aspects for the energy‐efficient and low‐emission operation of biomass heat and power plants. Hence, fuel quality parameters are often defined and used for pricing in supply contracts. To simplify and accelerate analytical approaches, rapid analysis devices are required to determine fuel properties such as water‐ and ash content, calorific value, and chemical composition on‐site. This article gives an overview about available technologies and, if applicable, their current state of use as rapid analysis devices for solid biofuels.

AbstractFuel properties of solid biofuels are essential aspects for the energy‐efficient and low‐emission operation of biomass heat and power plants. Hence, fuel quality parameters are often defined and used for pricing in supply contracts. To simplify and accelerate analytical approaches, rapid analysis devices are required to determine fuel properties such as water‐ and ash content, calorific value, and chemical composition on‐site. This article gives an overview about available technologies and, if applicable, their current state of use as rapid analysis devices for solid biofuels.