IPST

Characterization
of Biomass for
Thermo-Processing
to BioPower & BioFuels

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 Characterization of Biomass
• Organic constituents
– Cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, extractives, etc.
– Form and structure
• Elemental analysis including metals,
chloride, sulfur, etc.
– C-H-N-S-Cl-K-Na-Ca-etc.
• Bioprocessing characteristics
• Thermochemical Processing characteristics
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 Conventional Analysis Methods
Methods for Biomass Fuel
Heating value ASTM D2015, E711
Bulk density ASTM E873
C
Ultimate elemental analysis
C,H ASTM E777 H N
N ASTM E778 S
Ash Cl
S ASTM E775
Cl ASTM E776
O
Ash elemental ASTM D1102 (wet ashing) (by difference)
+ various ASTM methods
Proximate analysis
Moisture ASTM E871 Moisture

Ash ASTM E830, ASTM D1102 Volatile

Volatiles ASTM E872/E897
Fixed carbon By difference/Coulometric Fixed C
Ash
Ash melting range Differential scanning calorimetry
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 Proximate Analysis of Coals and
Various Biomass Fuels and Wastes
100
Proximate Analysis, %

80
Volatile
Matter
60
Fixed
40 Carbon

20 Inorganic
(Ash)
0

ls
l

k
oa

ar

er
ar

ss

el
w
r
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ite
C

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as
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itc

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as
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or

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he

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itu

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A
H
B

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 Higher Heating Value, MJ/kg
B
itu
m

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
in
ou
s
C
oa
l
Li
gn
D ite
ou
gl
as
Fi
rb
ar
D k
ou
gl
as
H Fi
r
yb
rid
Po
pl
Sw ar
itc
hg
ra
ss
C
or
n
St
ov
W er
he
at
St
ra
w
B
ag
as
A se
and Various Biomass Fuels

lm
on
d
Higher Heating Values of Coals

Sh
el
ls
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 Variability of Biomass
• Bole wood, bark, branches, needles from one
location
– Variation among components
– Variation along tree height
– Variation among trees of the same age
– Variation with age of trees

• Effect of location (coastal, piedmont, etc.)

• Effect of species (loblolly pine, slash pine, etc.)

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