Biomass characterization

The biomass forms the basis of any Bioenergy application

and often the physical, chemical characteristics of the fuel
also define the type of technology to be used.

Characteristics affecting the properties of wood as a fuel:

heating value,
chemical composition,
moisture content,
density,
hardness,
the amount of volatile matters,
the amount of solid carbon,
ash 1
 Biomass characterization

Heating value
.

energy that is available from burning a substance

High heating value (HHV)

Low heating value (LHV) Value used

2
 Biomass characterization

Low heating value

. Energy Energy Energy Energy
Bulk
density by density by density by density by
Fuel density
mass mass volume volume
kg/m3
GJ/tonne kWh/kg MJ/m3 kWh/m3
Wood chips (Very dependent
7-15 2-4 175-350 2000-3600 600-1000
on MC)
Log wood (stacked - air dry:
15 4.2 300-550 4500-8300 1300-2300
20% MC)
Wood (solid - oven dry) 18-21 5-5.8 450-800 8100-16800 2300-4600
Wood pellets 18 5 600-700 10800-12600 3000-3500
Miscanthus (bale) 17 4.7 120-160 2000-2700 560-750
Coal (lignite to anthracite) 20-30 5.6-8.3 800-1100 16000-33000 4500-9100
Oil 42 11.7 870 36,500 10200
Natural gas (NTP) 54 15 0.7 39 10.8
3
 Biomass characterization

Volume (m³) required to substitute one cubic meter of oil by some other fuels

1 thermal MW
store a
volume of
6.000 cubic
meter of coal
store 36.000
cubic meter,
which means
a quantity six
more

4
 Biomass characterization

Chemical composition proximate analysis

DRY MATTER WATER

ASH 0,4- SOLID VOLATILE MATTER Average moisture content
0,6 %of CARBON of the total weight
84-88 % of dm weight
dm
11,4-20 %
weight
of dm
weight

Bark, Saw dust 55-60 %

Forest chips 40 %
Wood pellets 8-12 %

5
 Biomass characterization

Chemical composition ultimate analysis

ultimate analysis
H 2O
C  35-50 %
H  6- 6,5 % CO2

O  38-42 % NO2
Combustion
N  0,1-0,5 % SO2
S  0,05 % ash

6
Biomass characterization

7
 Biomass characterization
Ash
The ash composition and the ash melting behaviour should be taken into
consideration to avoid slagging problems in boiler.

The melting behaviour of straw and energy crops (Miscanthus) is in a

range of 600- 950°C
Normal wood do not start melting before 1100°C.
8
 Biomass characterization

Ash

9
Source: Biomass Resource Assessment and Utilization Options for Three Counties in Eastern Oregon Oregon Department of Energy December 2003
 Biomass characterization
Moisture
Moisture content is an important characteristic affecting the quality of
biomass fuel for thermal processes like combustion, gasification and
pyrolysis.

10
 Biomass characterization
Moisture

Moisture: influence design plant, direct cost factor, influence the price of
fuel.
the more water fuel contains then lower heating value then fuel
efficiency is lower
the more water fuel contains then bigger boiler volume needed -
then more expensive boiler
In combustion processes, high moisture content can lead to
incomplete combustion, low thermal efficiency, low flame
temperatures, excessive emissions and the formation of tars that
could cause slagging problems.
lower moisture content cost less to transport and can reduce the
size of handling, processing and energy conversion equipment

11
 Biomass energy chains
Main biomass energy chains :
Wood energy chain
the use of dry products (cellulosic crops and residues) for thermo-
chemical conversion (combustion, gasification, pyrolysis);

Liquid biofuel chain

the use of crops (oilseed rape, sunflower, sugar beet, cereals etc.) for
liquid biofuel production;
Ethanol (sugar crops)
Biodiesel (oil crops)

Biogas
the use of wet products for anaerobic digestion.
12
Biomass energy chains

13