Fuel Characteristics

Forestry for Biomass > Fuel Processing > Fuel Characteristics

Good Quality Fuel

regardless of the specific fuel type, all good quality biomass fuels will share
some characteristics:

It will burn efficiently

To do this, the fuel must meet the requirements of the end users’ system. A
fuel that does not meet the specification of the intended system is likely to
burn inefficiently and cause increased wear
Consistency
The supplier as well as the end user need to be confident that the fuel
characteristics are consistent and do not vary beyond the end use
specification within or between deliveries.
Affordibility
The market price of wood fuel varies over time and geographically,
depending on supply and demand, policy context, etc. (see our indicative prices
section for more details ). However if the woodfuel production supply chains can
be optimised, unnecessary costs can be minimised.
Reliability of supply
To develop and maintain customer confidence, it is critical that the supply
of fuel is not disrupted, especially at times of peak demand. Beyond the
strict technical production of woodfuel, customer service has a critical role in
the sucess (or otherwise) of woodfuel supply chains.

Specific Fuel Parameters

Moisture Content
Contamination
Particle Size
Fuel Consistency
Fuel Affordability
Reliability of Supply

Moisture Content
 A fuel that has greater moisture content than the range specified for an appliance will lead
to incomplete combustion (assuming the boiler will stay lit at all), which leads to lower
efficiency, emission of tars and flue corrosion. Conversely; if the fuel is much drier than
specified it can lead to overheating, creating slag and producing NO 2 .
Why is it
important?
Moisture content also has a direct effect on the amount of useful energy generated from
combustion, transport and handling costs and the health and saftey aspects of handling
chipped material (if stored at a moisture content above around 30%wb , it will favour
microbial activity that can be harmful to operators handling the chip.)
Moisture content is measured as the relation of the weight of water in a sample to the
overall weight (wet basis) or to the dry weight (dry basis) of that sample, in %. There is a
How is it
useful document with a simplified method for testing moisture content here which
measured?
summarises British Standard "BS EN 14774:2-2009 - Solid biofuels - Determination of
moisture content - Oven dry method. Total moisture: Simplified method."

What are The initial feedstock. Depending on the source (e.g. slab wood, fresh round wood)
the critical and species, the initial moisture content will be different.
steps in The drying process to bring the fuel to target moisture content.
the supply
The storage conditions, which should ensure that woodfuel does not reabsorb water.
chain?

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Contamination
Fuel made from virgin wood can be contaminated by dirt, mud, stones and other
Why is it elements, which can increase wear, and reduce efficiency, at both the processing and
important? burning stages. If you want to burn treated wood, you will need to ensure that you
comply with the waste incineration directive.
How is it The level of given contaminants can be established by specialised labs. The BS EN 14961
measured? biofuels standards define maximum thresholds for ash and a number of elements.
The initial feedstock will play a role; for instance it is more likely to find
contamination in slabwood than in roundwood. The origin of roundwood may also
What are the
play a role, for instance higher levels of chlorine can be accumulated in timber from
critical steps
coastal areas.
in the supply
chain? The type of harvesting operation and the storage conditions will have an important
role in limiting contamination and moisture reabsorbtion.

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Particle Size
Particle size is especially important for woodchips and can have an effect on the reliability
Why is it of automatic feeding systems as well as on the combustion efficiency of the boiler. This
important? has a direct effect on the cost of the energy generated, and on the good running of the
heating appliance.
 The particle size distribution can be established by specialised labs. The methodology to
How is it
be followed is in BS EN 15149 Solid biofuels - Methods for the determination of particle
measured?
size distribution.
The most critical step will be the processing; the type of equipment used, the
What are the settings and maintenance of the machinery, the use of sieves or screens, will all be
critical steps critical to achieve a correct particle size distribution.
in the supply The initial feedstock. can also play a role; depending on its origin, moisture content
chain? and species, the chips obtained can be more or less consistent in size.

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Fuel Consistency
Deviation from the specifications agreed with the end user can cause appliances
Why is it malfunctions, contractual disputes, and loss of customer confidence. It is therefore
important? important to be able to provide an suitable fuel, but also to be able to prove that this
suitability is monitored to give the customer confidence.
Quality assurance systems aim to support the delivery to the end user of a fuel that
consistently meets given specifications, based on:

Identification and monitoring of the main critical points of the supply chain need to be
monitored.
How is it
Documentation of this monitoring where relevant.
measured?
Provisions to swiftly address any deviation from the specification.

The aim of quality assurance systems is to guarantee the fuel quality through the whole
supply chain, from the origin and source to the delivery of the solid biofuel and provide
adequate confidence that specified quality requirements are fulfilled.
What are
The BS EN 15234 – Fuel quality assurance standards identify critical points for different
the critical
supply chains, what measurements and sampling frequency are required, and any critical
steps in
factors in relation to delivery and storage of the fuel to ensure quality is maintained up to
the supply
the burning chamber. For more information see our information on standards.
chain?

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Fuel Affordability
The market conditions are to an extent beyond the control of users and suppliers, but
Why is it
by increasing business performance suppliers can substantially modify the
important?
attractiveness of wood as a fuel.
At all steps of the supply chain, simple, practical steps can be taken to avoid
unnecessary direct or indirect costs, leading to lower production costs for the
producer/supplier and more affordable prices for the end user.

Avoid moving, processing, and attempting to burn water.

What are the Optimising logistics to deliver short-term (outputs, unit costs) and long term
critical steps in (improved operators’ health) benefits, by rationalising the layout of work
the supply stations, ensuring balanced flows throughout the supply chain, optimising
chain? machinery use
Carefully choose equipment and machinery by considering costs, intended level
of use, versatility, outputs, maintenance, and ergonomics.

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Reliability of Supply
Why is it If the deliveries are disrupted, especially in winter when demand is at its highest,
important? customers are likely to lose confidence and switch to tother fuels.
To be able to reliably deliver woodfuel, suppliers need to:

Ensure that the necessary amounts of woodfuel will be ready when needed, with
What are the the required specifications, (especially moisture content). This requires good long
critical steps term planning including procurement and management of depots and drying
in the supply locations, especially when drying passively.
chain?
Monitor usage levels to anticipate low levels of fuel.
ensure delivery can take place as soon as the need is identified.

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