TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION CEN/TS 14778-1

SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION November 2005

ICS 75.160.10

English Version

Solid biofuels - Sampling - Part 1: Methods for sampling

Biocombustibles solides - Echantillonnage - Partie 1: Feste Biobrennstoffe - Probenahme - Teil 1: Verfahren zur
Méthodes d'échantillonnage Probenahme

This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 19 March 2005 for provisional application.

The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.

CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 14778-1:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
CEN/TS 14778-1:2005 (E)

Contents Page

Foreword ..........................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................4
1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................5
2 Normative references .........................................................................................................................5
3 Terms and definitions.........................................................................................................................5
4 Symbols and abbreviations................................................................................................................7
5 Principle of correct sampling.............................................................................................................7
6 Precision of sampling.........................................................................................................................7
7 Sampling of particulate materials ......................................................................................................7
8 Sampling of large pieces and bales.................................................................................................14
9 Sampling plan ...................................................................................................................................14
10 Sampling point ..................................................................................................................................14
11 Visual inspection...............................................................................................................................15
12 Sampling from conveyor belts.........................................................................................................15
13 Sampling from falling streams.........................................................................................................15
14 Sampling of biofuels in bucket conveyors, drag conveyors, bucket loaders or grabs ...............16
15 Sampling of biofuels in containers or storage rooms using a sampling pipe .............................16
16 Sampling of biofuels in packages....................................................................................................17
2
17 Sampling from small stockpiles (volume < 100 m ) .......................................................................17
18 Sampling material transported in lorries ........................................................................................18
19 Sampling from railway wagons and ships ......................................................................................18
20 Combined samples and laboratory samples ..................................................................................18
21 Marking, packaging and dispatch of samples ................................................................................18
22 Certificate of sampling .....................................................................................................................19
Annex A (informative) Sampling from large stockpiles .............................................................................20
Annex B (informative) Guidelines for the number of increments to be taken..........................................21
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................................25

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Foreword
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS 14778-1:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee
CEN/TC 335 “Solid biofuels”, the secretariat of which is held by SIS.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and the United Kingdom.

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Introduction
Biofuels are a mayor source of renewable energy. Technical Specifications are needed for production, trade
and use of solid biofuels. For sampling and sample preparation of biofuels the following Technical
Specifications can be used:

CEN/TS 14778-1, Solid biofuels Sampling – part 1: Methods for sampling;

CEN/TS 14778-2, Solid Biofuels Sampling – part 2: Methods for sampling particulate material transported in
lorries;

CEN/TS 14779, Solid biofuels – Sampling – Methods for preparing sampling plans and sampling certificates;

CEN/TS 14780, Solid biofuels Methods for sample preparation.

Current practice and the best available knowledge have been used to write these Technical Specifications.
The results of recent sampling experiments may be used to improve the sampling plans.

These Technical Specifications can be used by production and trading of solid biofuels. They are also useful
for buyers of solid biofuels, regulators, controllers and laboratories.

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1 Scope
This Part of this Technical Specification describes methods for taking samples of solid biofuels, for example,
from the place where the raw materials grow, from production plant, from deliveries, or from stock. It includes
both manual and mechanical methods, and is applicable to solid biofuels that are either:

 fine and regularly-shaped particulate materials, particle sizes up to about 10 mm that can be sampled
using a scoop or pipe, for example: sawdust, olive stones and wood pellets;

 coarse or irregularly-shaped particulate materials, particle sizes up to about 200 mm that can be sampled
using a fork or shovel, for example: wood chips and nut shells, forest residue chips, and loose straw;

 baled materials that require a special sampling tool to be used if the bales are not to be broken open for
sampling, for example: baled straw or grass;

 large pieces (particles sizes above 200 mm) which are to be picked manually;

 fibrous and vegetable waste dewatered in belt press.

The methods described in this Technical Specification may be used, for example, when the samples are to be
tested for bulk density, durability, particle size distribution, moisture content, ash content, ash melting
behaviour, calorific value, chemical composition, and impurities. The methods are not intended for obtaining
the very large samples required for the testing of bridging properties. Informative Annex B gives
recommendations for the sampling frequency for different situations. Part 2 of this Technical Specification
describes methods to be used in the particular situation when samples are to be taken from lorry-loads of solid
biofuels.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

CEN/TS 14588, Solid biofuels – Terminology, definitions and descriptions.

CEN/TS 14774-1, Solid biofuels – Methods for determination of moisture content – Oven dry method – Part 1:
Total moisture – Reference method.

CEN/TS 14774-2, Solid biofuels – Methods for determination of moisture content – Oven dry method – Part 2:
Total moisture – Simplified procedure.

CEN/TS 14779, Solid biofuels – Sampling - Methods for preparing sampling plans and sampling certificates.

CEN/TS 14780, Solid biofuels – Method for sample preparation.

CEN/TS 15149 (all parts), Solid biofuels – Method for particle size distribution.

ISO 13909-8, Hard coal and coke – Mechanical sampling – Part 8: Methods of testing for bias.

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this Technical Specification, the terms and definitions given in CEN/TS 14588 and the
following apply.

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3.1
combined sample
sample consisting of all the increments taken from a sub-lot

NOTE The increments may be reduced by division before being added to the combined sample.

3.2
common sample
sample collected for more than one intended use

NOTE Adapted from ISO 13909:2002

3.3
general analysis sample
sub-sample of a laboratory sample having a nominal top size of 1 mm or less and used for a number of
chemical and physical analyses

3.4
increment
portion of fuel extracted in a single operation of the sampling device

NOTE Adapted from ISO 13909:2002

3.5
laboratory sample
combined sample or a sub-sample of a combined sample or an increment or a sub-sample of an increment
sent to a laboratory

3.6
lot
defined quantity of fuel for which the quality is to be determined

NOTE 1 See also sub-lot.

NOTE 2 Adapted from ISO 13909:2002

3.7
mass-reduction
reduction of the mass of a sample or sub-sample

3.8
moisture analysis sample
sample taken specifically for the purpose of determining total moisture according to CEN/TS 14774-1 and
CEN/TS 14774-2

3.9
nominal top size
aperture size of the sieve used in the CEN/TS 15149 method for determining the particle size distribution of
solid biofuels through which at least 95 % by mass of the material passes

NOTE Adapted from ISO 13909:2002

3.10
sample
quantity of material, representative of a larger quantity for which the quality is to be determined

3.11
size analysis sample
sample taken specifically for the purpose of determining particle size distribution

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3.12
size-reduction
reduction of the nominal top size of a sample or sub-sample

3.13
sub-lot
part of a lot for which a test result is required

NOTE Adapted from ISO 13909:2002

EXAMPLE Consider a power station that receives 20 lorry-loads of wood chips a day. Every single lorry-load is
tested for moisture content. One lorry-load is selected at random for other tests. In this example, the lot could be the
quantity of fuel delivered in a day (20 lorry-loads) and the sub-lot could be a single lorry-load.

3.14
sub-sample
portion of a sample

3.15
test portion
sub-sample of a laboratory sample consisting of the quantity of material required for a single execution of a
test method

4 Symbols and abbreviations

d nominal top size, mm

Mlot mass of the lot or sub-lot, tonnes

n number of increments

V volume of an increment or sample, litre

5 Principle of correct sampling

The main principle of sampling is to get a representative sample (samples) from the whole lot concerned.
Every particle in the lot or sub-lot to be represented by the sample should have an equal probability of being
included in the sample. When this principle cannot be applied in practice, the sampler shall note the limitations
in the sampling plan.

6 Precision of sampling

Information on the precision of sampling will be added when results from practice are available.

7 Sampling of particulate materials

7.1 Apparatus for sampling

For manual sampling, sampling boxes shall be used for sampling falling streams, for example, from a moving
belt. Scoops, pipes, shovels, or forks shall be used for sampling stationary material, according to the size of
the material (as given in the Scope of this Technical Specification). Scoops and shovels shall have raised
edges similar to those shown in Figures 1 and 2. When using a fork, there is a risk that the smaller particles of
the material being sampled will fall between the teeth of the fork. The sampler shall check that the fork to be

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used for sampling a material has teeth sufficiently close together so that particles do not fall between the teeth.
Any material losses will affect the quality of the sample.

Unbiased mechanical equipment shall be used. Bias shall be tested according to ISO 13909-8.

Figure 1 — Example of a scoop

Figure 2 — Example of a sampling box

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Key

l is the length of the shovel

A-A is the width of the shovel

Figure 3 — Example of a shovel

Figure 4 — Example of a fork

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Figure 5 — Example of a hook used for sampling straw

Figure 6a — Example of equipment used to sample from a falling stream

Figure 6b — Example of equipment used to sample from a falling

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stream

Figure 7 — Example of equipment used to sample from a stopped conveyor

Figure 8 —Example of a cross-belt sampler

Key

1 lorry

Figure 9 — Example of a mechanical probe

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Figure 10 — Example of a sampling pipe

7.2 Size of increments

The sampling tool shall have a capacity of not less than:

Vmin = 0,5 for d ≤ 10 (1)

Vmin = 0,05 × d for d ≥ 10 (2)

Where

Vmin is the minimum capacity of the sampling tool, litre

d is the nominal top size, mm

The sampler shall establish and record the approximate capacity of the sampling tool VIncrement in litres.

7.3 Number of increments

The minimum number of increments to be taken from a lot or sub-lot depends on the heterogeneity of the
material to be sampled. The material shall be assigned by the sampler to one of the groups in Table 1.

Table 1 — Classification of materials according to heterogeneity

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

homogeneous biofuel homogeneous biofuel heterogeneous biofuel

nominal top size <10 mm nominal top size >10 mm

for example: for example: for example:

cutter shavings wood chips logging residues

sawdust wood pellets bark

nut shells

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The number of increments shall be read from Figure 11 (for stationary material) or Figure 12 (for moving
material), or calculated as:

For sampling from stationary situations:

n = 5 + 0,025 × M lot for Group 1 (3)

n = 10 + 0,040 × M lot for Group 2 (4)

n = 20 + 0,060 × M lot for Group 3 (5)

NOTE These formulae do not apply to large stock piles.

For sampling from moving material:

n = 3 + 0,025 × M lot for Group 1 (6)

n = 5 + 0,040 × M lot for Group 2 (7)

n = 10 + 0,060 × M lot for Group 3 (8)

where
n is the minimum permitted number of increments, round off to the nearest whole number;
Mlot is the mass of the lot or sub-lot in tonnes.

Figure 11 — Numbers of increments to take when sampling biofuel that is stationary

Figure 11 does not apply to large stockpiles.

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Figure 12 — Numbers of increments to take when sampling biofuel that is moving

The number of increments given by Figure 12 may be excessive when sampling large quantities, e.g.
shiploads.

8 Sampling of large pieces and bales

If the material arises as pieces or bales that are too large to be sampled with a fork or a shovel, i.e. with a
nominal top size > 100 mm, sampling shall be carried out as follows.

Volume of individual pieces ≤ 5 litre: The size of an increment, V litre, shall be one piece. The pieces shall be
picked manually and at random from the lot or the sub-lot.

Volume of individual pieces > 5 litre: The size of an increment, V litre, shall be at least one litre. The
increments shall be drilled or cut out of pieces picked manually and at random from the lot or the sub-lot.

The number of increments shall be according to formulae 4 and 7 stated in 7.3 for Group 2 materials.

9 Sampling plan
A written sampling plan shall be prepared, before samples are taken, according to CEN/TS 14779. This shall
use the appropriate apparatus described in 7.1 of this Technical Specification. The number of increments shall
be:

 not less than the minimum number of increments specified in 7.3 in this Technical Specification;

 not less than the number required by the procedure in CEN/TS 14779 for calculating the size of sample
needed for all the tests to be performed on the sample.

10 Sampling point
In general, it is difficult to take samples in a way that satisfies the principle of correct sampling when the
material is stationary (for example, in a silo or stockpile, or in a lorry or ship). It is easier when the material is

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moving (for example, on a conveyor belt, or being loaded into or unloaded from a ship). Sampling from moving
material is to be preferred wherever possible.

11 Visual inspection

If possible, each lot or sub-lot shall be inspected visually. If it consists of a mixture of substantially different
materials, or if it contains lumps of unwanted material (such as soil or pieces of metal) this shall be reported
immediately to the appropriate party according to the contract. The sampler shall proceed with taking a
sample if requested to do so by the appropriate party.

12 Sampling from conveyor belts

12.1 Lot or sub-lot

The lot or sub-lot shall be defined as all the material in the container that the sample is to represent, or, in the
case of continuous production, all the material passing the sampling point during a specified time interval.

12.2 Manual sampling from stopped conveyor belts

A sampling frame shall be used to separate the material to be taken as an increment. The width of the
opening of the sampling frame shall be at least 2,5 times the nominal top size of the material to be sampled.
All the material contained within the sampling frame shall be taken as the increment. If material is trapped
under the edges of the frame, the material trapped under one edge shall be included in the increment and the
material trapped under the other edge shall be excluded from the increment.

Increments shall be taken at regular intervals during the discharge of the lot or sub-lot.

12.3 Mechanical sampling from moving conveyor belts

A cross-belt sampler can be used for sampling materials from a moving conveyor belt. The equipment shall be
designed so that it takes material from the full depth of the conveyor.

13 Sampling from falling streams

13.1 General

The lot or sub-lot shall be defined as all the material in the container that the sample is to represent, or, in the
case of continuous production, all the material passing the sampling point during a specified time interval.

Either manual or mechanical methods may be used.

Sampling shall be carried out using a sampling box (see Figure 2) or other suitable equipment that is passed
through the stream of falling material so that it cuts the whole of the falling stream. The width of the opening of
the sampling box (b mm) shall be at least 2,5 times the nominal top size (d mm) of the material to be sampled.
The box shall be large enough so that it does not become overloaded. The velocity at which the box is passed
through the falling stream shall be uniform and shall exceed neither 1,5 m/s nor 0,3 + 0,1(b/d) m/s.

Increments shall be taken at regular intervals during the discharge of the lot or sub-lot. The interval between
increments shall be such that at least ten times the mass of the increment passes between one increment and
the next.

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13.2 Sampling of fibrous vegetable waste

Sampling of fibrous vegetable waste intended for energy use shall be done after it is dewatered in a belt press.
From this sample, moisture content (still left), and e.g. ash is determined.

Following sample description:

After belt press, approximately 100 g sample is taken from a falling stream of dried sludge. The stream can
have a thickness of some centimetres and width, for instance, 3 m. The sampling can be done manually
taking a handful of increment of about 100 g from the middle of the stream and in both sides of the stream
about 10 cm to 20 cm from the edge to the middle. These increments are combined to one sample.

14 Sampling of biofuels in bucket conveyors, drag conveyors, bucket loaders or

grabs
The lot or sub-lot shall be defined as all the material in the container that the sample is to represent, or, in the
case of continuous production, all the material passing the sampling point during a specified time interval. A
number of bucketfuls or grabfuls or compartments of the drag conveyor shall be selected for sampling at
regular intervals during the discharge of the lot or sub-lot.

Either take all of a selected bucketful or grabful or a compartment of the drag conveyor as an increment, or
take one increment.

To take an increment use a scoop, shovel or fork, and follow either (a) or (b).

a) If access to the material can be obtained without tipping it out of the bucket or grab or a compartment of
the drag conveyor, take an increment by digging into the material. Take the increments from different
locations each time.

b) If access to the material cannot be obtained when it is in the bucket, or in the compartment of the drag
conveyor, tip the contents onto a clean, hard surface, and take increments by digging into the tipped
material. Take increments from different locations in the heap each time. Increments shall not be taken
from the lowest part of the heap – i.e. not from the lowest 300 mm.

c) Sampling of fibrous vegetable waste intended for energy use shall be done after it is dewatered in a belt
press. After the belt press, a sample is taken by using a 2-litre cylinder scoop from the mass locating in
the feeding screw, which feeds to the boiler. From the scoop a sub-sample is taken by hand to the
laboratory.

15 Sampling of biofuels in containers or storage rooms using a sampling pipe

The lot shall be defined as all the material in the container.

A sampling pipe is suitable for sampling granular materials with a nominal top size less than 25 mm, which
flow freely (such as wood pellets). The length of the pipe shall be sufficient to reach all the way into the
container. The length of the holes in the pipe shall be greater than the nominal top size of the material to be
sampled. The width of the holes in the sampling pipe shall be greater than three times the nominal top size of
the material to be sampled. The holes in the sampling pipe should be twisted as illustrated in Figure 9, and the
pipe shall be constructed so that the holes open one after the other starting with the hole closest to the tip of
the pipe.

To take a sampling increment with the pipe, insert the pipe into the material at an angle between 30˚ and 75˚.
Insert the pipe completely before opening the sampling holes. Shaking the pipe can help to fill it. Take care
when removing the increment from the pipe to remove all the fine particles.

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16 Sampling of biofuels in packages

The lot shall be defined as all the material contained in one delivery.

The packages shall be chosen for sampling at random from the lot. (Random selection can be achieved by
selecting packages at random times as they pass a chosen sampling point, or by numbering all the packages
and using random numbers.) The minimum number of packages to be sampled shall be:

5 + 0,025 × M (9)

where

M is the mass of the delivery in tonnes

Each package constitutes an increment. However, if it is necessary to reduce the quantity of the sample, each
package shall be treated by a method for sample reduction described in CEN/TS 14780 to reduce the quantity
of the package (i.e. increment) by the same degree.

For small particle size fuels in packages (e.g. pellets) also a suitable sampling pipe can be used.

NOTE 1 The sampling can be done from a falling stream during filling of the packages.

NOTE 2 No convenient method can be given for the sampling of large packages on delivery, so it is suggested that this
should be done at the factory by using the method for sampling from a tipped heap as described in Part 2 of this Technical
Specification.

17 Sampling from small stockpiles (volume < 100 m2)

The lot shall be defined as the whole of the stockpile.

A scoop, shovel, fork or sampling pipe shall be used to take the sample.

If there is any reason to suspect that the material in the stockpile is segregated then it is recommended that
the material is moved (e.g. into a new stockpile) and that the increments are taken during the removal as
described in Clause 14.

To decide the height at which the increments are taken, the sampler shall visually divide the heap into three
horizontal layers, and take a number of increments from each layer in proportion to the volume contained in
each layer. The positions around the circumference of the heap from which the increments are taken shall be
equally-spaced. A bucket loader may be used to dig into the heap to reach the sampling points. Increments
shall not be taken from the lowest part of the heap – i.e. not from the lowest 300 mm. Figure 13 shows a
possible arrangement of the sampling points on a heap.

If the stockpile is too large to be treated by this method then it is not a small stockpile. Guidelines concerning
the sampling of large stockpiles can be found in the informative Annex A.

Figure 13 — Side view of an example of sampling points on a small stockpile

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18 Sampling material transported in lorries

Sampling from lorries shall be carried out according to Part 2 of this Technical Specification.

19 Sampling from railway wagons and ships

Samples shall be taken during loading or unloading using one of the methods described in this Technical
Specification. For example, when loading a ship with material from a stockpile, a bucket loader will be used to
pick up the material, so the method described in Clause 14 is appropriate. The lot or sub-lot shall be defined
according to the method chosen.

Mechanical probes can be used for sampling from railway wagons and is suitable for materials with a nominal
top size less than 25 mm. The system shall be designed to prevent loss of moisture during sampling. The
internal diameter of the drill shall be at least three times the nominal top size of the material to be sampled.
The instructions for the use of the equipment provided by the manufacturer shall be followed. Choose the
sampling points, and the depth from which each increment is taken, randomly. The mechanical probe shall be
cleaned after each sample is taken. See Figure 8 for an example of a mechanical probe.

20 Combined samples and laboratory samples

One of the following options shall be used.

a) All the increments are placed directly into one container to form a combined sample, which is sent to the
laboratory. In this case the combined sample is also the laboratory sample.

b) The increments are mixed together to form a combined sample, which is then divided into two or more
sub-samples using one of the methods described in CEN/TS 14780. Each retained sub-sample is placed
in a container and sent to a laboratory where it becomes a laboratory sample.

c) Each increment is placed in a separate container, and sent to the laboratory. The laboratory combines the
increments to form the laboratory sample.

d) Each increment is divided into two or more sub-samples using one of the methods described in CEN/TS
14780. Each increment is divided by the same degree. One or more combined samples are formed by
putting one sub-sample from each increment into each combined sample. Each combined sample is
placed in a container and sent to a laboratory where it becomes a laboratory sample.

21 Marking, packaging and dispatch of samples

Samples shall be placed in airtight plastic containers.

a) In every case the sample can be placed in air-tight packages such as plastic buckets (with lids) or plastic
bags (to be closed). If moisture is to be determined, the weight of the packaging after removing the
sample shall be determined before and after drying (as moisture may be absorbed on the inside of the
packaging).

b) When only particle size distribution is to be determined, the sample can be placed in a box or other
convenient packaging.

c) If transparent packaging is used, the sample shall be kept away from direct sunlight.

d) When it is necessary to guard against adulteration of the sample, the sample container shall be sealed.

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e) When it is necessary to minimise biological activity, the sample shall be submitted for testing within 24
hours. Or the sample is stored in 5°C and analysed as soon as possible, but no longer storage than one
week. Alternatively, the sample shall be air-dried as described in CEN/TS 14780. If the moisture content
is to be determined, the weight loss caused by air-drying shall be recorded and submitted together with
the air-dry sample.

f) The container shall carry a label showing:

 the reference number of the sampling plan;

 the unique identification number of the sample;

 the name of the sampler;

 the date and time of sampling;

 the identification number of the lot or sub-lot.

22 Certificate of sampling
A certificate of sampling shall be prepared according to CEN/TS 14779.

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Annex A
(informative)

Sampling from large stockpiles

A.1 Initial assessment of the stockpile

The sampler shall inspect the stockpile visually. If the stockpile appears to contain regions containing
significantly different material, he shall sample each region. In this way each sample represents the different
material.

The sampler shall establish how the stockpile was formed as this can cause the stockpile to be non-
homogeneous. For example, if material is allowed to fall from the end of a conveyor to form a stockpile in the
form of a conical heap, coarser particles tend to collect at the outside and at the base of the stockpile, and
finer particles collect in the interior of the stockpile. However, if such a stockpile is exposed to the wind, then
finer particles will be carried by the wind to the downwind side of the stockpile. If a stockpile is built over a
lengthy time period, the inaccessible material on the inside may be totally different from the accessible
material on the outside.

A.2 Taking samples

Take the increments manually using a scoop, shovel or fork or pipe. If segregation is expected to occur during
sampling, drive a board or metal plate horizontally into the heap and withdraw the increment immediately
underneath. The increments shall be taken mass proportional if possible.

Holes or ditches should be dug using e.g. a bucket loader. If possible, these holes or ditches should be dug
from the top of the stockpile and down to 4/5 of the height of the stockpile. If this is not possible, the holes or
ditches should be dug from the sides of the stockpile (evenly distributed). From the excavated material,
increments can be taken using a scoop, shovel or fork.

As alternative mechanical probes can be used for sampling in the same way as for railway wagons and ships,
see Clause 19.

A.3 Marking, packaging and dispatch of samples

See Clause 21.

A.4 Certificate of sampling

The sampler shall prepare a sampling certificate according to CEN/TS 14779. He shall report any reasons
why the sample may not be representative of the stockpile on the sampling certificate.

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Annex B
(informative)

Guidelines for the number of increments to be taken

B.1 General

The data on which this Technical Specification has been based were collected from studies of the literature
and from practical experience arising from the routine measurement and analysis of biofuels. The results
obtained from these have been used to calculate the sampling frequency for different situations.

B.2 Number of increments to be taken for determination of moisture content

Guidelines for the number of increments required to achieve the required degree of precision in different
sampling situations are given in B.2 and B.3. The reference value for precision (simple mean error) in
sampling for determination of the moisture content is 2,0 % (absolute) at 95 % probability. These deviations
include errors which may arise in sampling, sample preparation and analysis.

NOTE If the moisture content is 50 %, the result must lie between 48 % and 52 % with 95 % probability

B.2.1 Sampling from lorries

The guidelines for the number of increments to be taken from lorries of different sizes are given in Table B.1
below. It is assumed that all lorry loads in a consignment will be sampled. For large consignments for which
the moisture content can be suitably determined by spot sampling of randomly selected loads.

If there is any doubt as to the sorting category of the material, it must be classified as the alternative requiring
the greatest number of increments.

For very large consignments from a single supplier, it may be logical to determine the moisture content on
only some randomly selected loads, i.e. spot samples. However, in practice it has proven difficult to produce
such large quantities that spot sampling would be suitable for biofuels.

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CEN/TS 14778-1:2005 (E)

Table B.1 — Guidelines for the number of increments required for moisture content determination on
lorries
Fuel type Examples Examples of number of increments for the given mass

m < 30 ton m = 120 ton m = 240 ton m > 240 ton

Homogeneous group 1 - Cutter 6 8 11 20

Biofuel Shavings
- Sawdust
(raw)

Homogeneous group 2 -Wood chips 11 15 20 30

Biofuel
-Wood pellets

Heterogeneous group 3 -Bark 22 27 34 50

Biofuel

NOTE 1 This table is based on the assumption that a load consists of 30 tons of fuel. It also presumes that the
amounts given in the respective columns are part of a single consignment from one supplier to one customer. All
increments taken will therefore form the basis for evaluation of a certain consignment.

NOTE 2 The number of increments given in Table A.1 has been calculated using existing data on the variation in
moisture content between increments within loads for the respective fuel categories. Therefore for Groups 2 and 3 in
quantities up to 120 ton in Table B.1, a considerable reduction has been made in the recommended number of
increments, but with an inherent risk of not fulfilling the precision requirement.

NOTE 3 For the column >240 ton, the number of increments given corresponds to the lower boundary of the category.
This means that the number of increments taken in large consignments can become unnecessarily large. Thus in
principle, the number of increments per load can be reduced further for this type of consignment. However, it is always
very advisable to take at least 2 increments per lorry.

B.2.2 Sampling from fuel flow on a conveyor belt

The guidelines for the number of increments to be taken, if these originate from a single supplier, are given in
Table B.2. If there is any doubt as to the category of the fuel, it must be classified as the category requiring the
greatest number of samples.

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 CEN/TS 14778-1:2005 (E)

Table B.2 — Guidelines for the number of increments for the determination of moisture content in fuel
flow on a conveyor belt.
Fuel type Examples Examples of number of increments for the given mass

m < 30 ton m = 120 ton m = 240 ton m> 240 ton

Homogeneous group 1 - Cutter 4 6 9 15

Biofuel shavings

-Sawdust (raw)

Homogeneous group 2 -Wood chips 6 10 15 25

Biofuel - Wood pellets

Heterogeneous group 3 -Bark 12 17 24 40

Biofuel

NOTE 1 The required number of increments has been calculated on the assumption that the standard deviation for
moisture content increases with increasing size of the fuel consignment. This is particularly important for the 30 ton limit,
which is assumed to represent a lorry load. Above this limit, it is assumed that the sampled mass of fuel consists of more
than one load, which means that a variation in moisture content between loads is introduced.

NOTE 2 As in sampling from lorries, the number of increments given for quantities < 30 ton has been deliberately
reduced to below the required level of precision for moisture content. The motive for this is to prevent the cost of collecting
and handling samples becoming unreasonably high in relation to the value of the sampled fuel.

B.3 Number of increments to be taken for determination of ash content

B.3.1 Sampling from lorry

Guidelines for the number of increments to determine the ash are given in Table B.3. If there is any doubt
about the classification of the fuel that generated the ash, the category requiring the greatest number of
increments must be used. The reference value for precision (simple mean error) in sampling for determination
of the ash content is 0,3% (absolute) at 95 % probability. These deviations include errors which may arise in
sampling, sample preparation and analysis.

NOTE If the ash content is 2 %, the result must lie between 1,7 % and 2,3 % with 95 % probability. All calculations of
ash content are based on the dry weight of ash.

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CEN/TS 14778-1:2005 (E)

Table B.3 — Guidelines for the number of increments required for determining ash content in
sampling from lorry
Fuel type Examples Examples of number of increments for the given mass

m < 30 ton m = 120 ton m = 240 ton m > 240 ton

Homogeneous group 1 - Cutter 6 8 11 20

Biofuel Shavings
- Sawdust
(raw)

Homogeneous group 2 -Wood chips 11 15 20 30

Biofuel
-Wood pellets

Heterogeneous group 3 -Bark 22 27 34 50

Biofuel

NOTE 1 This table is based on the assumption that a load consists of 30 tons of fuel. It also presumes that the
amounts given in the respective columns are part of a single consignment from one supplier to one customer. All
increments taken will therefore form the basis for evaluation of a certain consignment.

NOTE 2 The number of increments given in Table B.3 has been calculated using existing data on the variation in ash
content between increments within loads for the respective fuel categories. Therefore for Groups 2 and 3 in quantities up
to 120 ton in Table A.1, a considerable reduction has been made in the recommended number of increments, but with an
inherent risk of not fulfilling the precision requirement.

NOTE 3 For the column >240 ton, the number of increments given corresponds to the lower boundary of the category.
This means that the number of increments taken in large consignments can become unnecessarily large. Thus in
principle, the number of increments per load can be reduced further for this type of consignment. However, it is always
very advisable to take at least 2 increments per lorry.

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 CEN/TS 14778-1:2005 (E)

Bibliography

[1] CEN/TS 14961, Solid Biofuels – Fuel specifications and classes

[2] ISO 13909:2002, Hard coal and coke – Mechanical sampling.

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