Savremena poljoprivredna tehnika Cont. Agr. Engng. Vol. 35, No.

4, 219-280, Novi Sad, februar 2009 Biblid: 0350-2953(2009)35: 4, 260-267 UDK: 620.952:5367:62-662.066.07 Struni rad Proffesional paper

STANDARDS FOR PELLETED AND BRIQUETTED BIOFUELS STANDARDI ZA PELETIRANA I BRIKETIRANA BIOGORIVA
Brkic M, Janic T.* REZIME Evropsko trite energetskih peleta i briketa od biomase formirano je pre est godina. Oigledno, na osnovu pregleda literature i praktinog iskustva, nema konano usaglaenog jedinstvenog standarda kvaliteta za proizvodnju energetskih peleta i briketa. Ove standarde donele su Austrija (NORM M1735 za brikete i pelete), vedska (SS 187120 za pelete i SS 187121 za brikete) i Nemaka (DIN 51731 za brikete i pelete). Ostale zemlje koriste navedene standarde, npr. Finska koristi standard od vedske. Evropski peletni centar (EPC) sa seditem u Danskoj i operativnom koordinaciom 18 evropskih zemalja, doneo je sveobuhvatno definisan standardni metod za analizu i klasifikaciju peleta. Cilj ovog rada je analiza evropskih standarda, harmonizacija podataka i preporuka za izradu kvalitetnog standarda za peletirana i briketirana biogoriva u Republici Srbiji. Kljune rei: biomasa, energetika, pelete, brikete, standardi SUMMARY The Europian market of energy biomass pellets and briquettes was formed six years ago. Obviously, based on literature review and practical experience, consistent and unified quality standard of energy pellets and briquettes production doesnt final yet. Such standards have been adopted by Austria (NORM M1735 for briquettes and pellets), Sweden (SS 187120 for pellets and SS 187121 for briquettes) and Germany (DIN 51731 for briquettes and pellets). Other countries utilize mentioned standards. For example, Finland utilizes the Swedish standard. European Pellet Center (EPC), with its main office in Denmark and operational coordination of 18 European countries, has established standard method of pellets analysis and classification. Objective of this paper is analysis of European standards, data harmonization and recommendation of quality standard compilation for pelleted and briquetted biofuels in Republic of Serbia. Key words: biomass, energetics, pellets, briquetes, standards INTRODUCTION In majority of European countries, there are a few or no written laws especially for pellets. Presently, only a few European countries, like Austria, Sweden and Germany, have official standards, especially for compacted biomass fuels. Other countries with significant pellet
* Dr Brkic Miladin, full professor, Dr. Todor Janic, assistant profesor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Trg D. Obradovica 8, mbrkic@polj.ns.ac.yu

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market, like Denmark and Finland, have decided to wait for the completion of a common European pellet standard. Grate effort has been put into definition of standard methods for pellets analyze and classification, defined in the report of CEN/TC 14961. The most commonly used standards, together with the new CEN classification system of pellets and briquets are listed below: Austria NORM M1735 (briquettes and pellets) Sweden: SS 187120 (pellets) and SS 187121 (briquettes) Germany: DIN 51731 (briquettes and pellets) Suggestion for European Classification : CEN/TS 14961 "Annex A" Examples of specifications for high quality classes of solid biofuels recommended for household usage. More important content of these pellets and briquets standards are decribed in table 1. European standard CEN/TS 14961 In table 1. is given a draft of European standard CEN/TS 14961 that provides a way to describe the specification of biomass fuels. For pellets, the following components should be specified: D = Diameter, e.g. D06 = 6 mm diameter (max. 30 mm length, with allowance up to 45 mm length in 20% of the stock). M = Moisture, e.g. M10 = 10% moisture. A = Ash, e.g. A0.7 = 0.7% ash. E = Energy density, e.g. E4.7 = 4.7 kWh/kg Net Calorific Value, dry basis. DU = Durability, e.g. DU97.5 = 97.5% durability (i.e. less than 2.5% by weight of the pellets break off to form fines under stress-testing). F = Fines, e.g. F2.0 = 2.0% fines at the factory gate. (Premium 8 mm and 6 mm pellets will be cleaned before loading on the delivery vehicle to minimize the delivered fines-content. The delivered fines-content depends on many factors, including the design of consumer installation). N = Nitrogen, e.g. N0.5 = 0.5% nitrogen. S = Sulphur, e.g. S0.05 = 0.05% sulphur. Cl = Chlorine, e.g. Cl0.07 = 0.07% chlorine. Supplementary (referenced in 14961), producers prefer pellets and briquets without additives, and specify a maximum additive level of 2% of dry basis. In accordance with recommendation in 14961, only not chemically modified agricultural and forestry products are approved as pressing material. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This method is documented in the Report CEN/TS 14961. CEN is the acronym for Classification European Normative, which presents European classification norm of quality standards creation. Pellets Quality standard utilized in EU countries can be found at http://www.pelletcentre.info -Project Results, Quality Standards. Some countries utilize this recommendation until adoption of some other common quality standard. In Serbia mostly supported are German quality standard DIN 51731/DIN, international standard ISO 12937 (for humidity content) as well as ISO 6245 (for ashes content). Pellet and briquette exporters should take care of quality standard utilization in the 261

country of export or should find out which standard is being used in that country. Tab. 1. National energy pellets and briquets standards for Autria, Sweden and Germany and the final draft of European standard for pellets (CEN standard) Tab. 1. Nacionalni standardi za energetske pelete i brikete u Austriji, vedskoj i Nemakoj i konani predlog evropskog standarda za energetske pelete (CEN standard)

* of dry basis, ** at factory, *** without ash and water

For more details regarding the CEN-standard, please visit the webpage for CEN. Figures 1. and 2. show equipment for determination of the calorific value and mechanical durability.

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Fig. 2. Determination of mechanical durability Sl. 2. Odreivanje mehanike izdrljivosti Table 2. gives standards of methodologies for determination of mechanical, phisical, chemical and thermical properties of solid biofuels. Fig. 1. Determination of the calorific value Sl. 1. Odreivanje toplotne vrednosti Pellet Standards in Forever Fuels British pellet supplier Forever Fuels works closely with producers, carters and equipment-installers in order to ensure pellets quality-controlled chain from the forest to the store. The pellets are certified by their larger producers of FSC- forests. All their producers regularly sampling and analyse pellets with random verification tests. Their handling and sampling procedures are designed to ensure full traceability (Forever Fuels. 2006. Pellet Standars, http://www.forever-fuels.com/view/standards). Forever Fuels supplies two sizes of premium-quality pellets of 6 and 8 mm, by diameter of 8 mm only available in bulk, while 6mm is available in bulk or bags. In some locations, they may also offer pellets from local producers. Their pellets are specified according to the CEN/TS 14961 draft European standard classification (sampled and analyzed on conformance test). That terminology of quality standards (Table 1) is compact and opaque, so they provide a guide below. Diameter 8 mm Their standard 8 mm pellets are sourced from Skellefte Kraft, one of the largest and longest-established producers in Sweden. They where available from mid-December 2008. Their standard CEN/TS 14961 specification is D08, M10, A0.5, E4.9, DU97.5, F2.0, N0.3, S0.05, Cl0.03, i.e. 8 mm diameter, less than 10% moisture and 0.5% ash, greater than 97.5% mechanical durability and 4.9 kWh/kg energy density, etc. Many of the above parameters are the highest spec. envisaged in the standard. In practice, the Skellefte pellets are significantly better than this specification in some aspects, For example, the moisture content should be under 7%, the ash content is expected to be nearly 0.3%, and the sulphur, nitrogen and chlorine contents are so low as to be negligible (0.01%, 0.1% and 0.01% respectively). The pellets are produced from sawdust and shavings from pine and spruce. Only the highest quality raw materials sourced from the by-products of logging, sawmilling and wood working industries are used in their production. 263

Tab. 2. Standards for solid biofuels Tab. 2. Standardi za vrsta biogoriva

Work Item Title Terminology, definitions and description Fuel specifications and classes Fuel quality assurance Methods of sampling Methods of sampling delivered in lorries Methods for preparing sampling plans and sampling certificates Methods of sample preparation Methods for the determination of calorific value Methods for the determination of bulk density Methods for the determination of moisture content Oven dry method Part 1: Total moisture Reference method Methods for the determination of moisture content Oven dry method Part 2:Total moisture Simplified method Methods for the determination of moisture content -Oven dry method Part 3: Moisture in general analysis sample Methods for the determination of the content of volatile matter Methods for the determination of ash content Methods for the determination of ash melting behaviour Methods for the determination of particle size distribution. Part 1: Oscillating screen method using screen apertures of 3,15 mm and above Methods for the determination of particle size distribution. Part 2: Oscillating screen method for small particles using screen apertures of 3,15 mm and below Solid Biofuels -Methods for the determination of particle size distribution. Part 3: Rotary screen method Solid Biofuels -Methods for the determination of impurities Methods for the determination of the particle density Methods for the determination of the durability for pellets Methods for the determination of the durability for briquettes Methods for the determination of bridging properties Methods for the determination of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and nitrogen (N) content Methods for the determination of sulphur (S) and chlorine (Cl) content Methods for the determination of water soluble chloride (Cl) content Methods for the determination of the content of major elements (Al, Si, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, P and Ti) Methods for the determination of the content of minor elements (As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Te,V and Zn) Calculation of different bases Current State DD CEN/TS 14588:2004 DD CEN/TS 14961:2005 DD CEN/TS 15234:2006 DD CEN/TS 14778-1:2005 DD CEN/TS DD CEN/TS 14779:2005 DD CEN/TS 14780:2005 DD CEN/TS 14918:2005 DD CEN/TS 15103:2006 DD CEN/TS 14774-1:2004 DD CEN/TS 14774-2:2004 DD CEN/TS 14774-3:2004 DD CEN/TS 15148:2005 DD CEN/TS14775:2004 DD CEN/TS15149-1:2006 DD CEN/TS15149-2:2006

DD CEN/TS15149-3:2006 Discontinued DD CEN/TS 15150:2005 DD CEN/TS15210-1:2005 DD CEN/TS15210-2:2005 Will be a Technical Report DD CEN/TS15104:2005 DD CEN/TS 15289:2006 DD CEN/TS 15105:2005 DD CEN/TS 15290:2006 DD CEN/TS 15297:2006 DD CEN/TS 15296:2006

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Diameter 6 mm Their standard 6 mm pellets are specified (to CEN/TS 14961) to D06, M10, A0.7, E4.7, DU97.5, F2.0, N0.5, S0.05, Cl0.07. Pellets from local producers will vary, but they usually be to a lower specification, e.g. D08, M12, A1.0, E4.6, DU95, F3.0, N1.0, S0.1, Cl0.1. This specification allows room for greater tolerance, and as a guide to the standard of pellets comsumer boiler, should be able to have a good chance of supporting local production and paying less than the premium price. Some of them could be a significantly higher standard than this; have to speak to producer about specifications for current stock in consumer area. Forever Fuels supplies 6 mm and 8 mm (by diameter) pellets as standard. The diameter may vary by up to 0.5 mm from the stated size. Forever Fuels premium pellets (recommended for non-industrial use) conform with the CEN/TS 14961 standard for the length: up to 5x the diameter for 6 mm pellets (e.g. 30 mm long) and 4x the diameter for 8 mm pellets (e.g. 32 mm long). In accordance with standard, a maximum of 20% by weight may be longer than this, up to 7.5x the diameter (e.g. upto 45 mm long for 6 mm pellets). Locally-produced pellets will also mostly fall within this size specification, but arnt guaranteed to do so. Hence, they are often more suitable for industrial systems with more robust fuel-handling and burning technology. There is no minimum length, except fines are defined as less as 3.15 mm, so any shorter pellet is regarded as a fine particle rather than a pellet. Their 8 mm pellets are specified with no more than 0.5% ash content (A0.5, using the CEN/TS 14961 classification), and in practice usually around 0.3% of ash. Their 6 mm pellets are specified with no more than 0.7% of ash content. They are sampled and analysed to ensure ash content (and other aspects) in accordance with specification. The ash-content of locallyproduced pellets depends on the manufacturer and input, but for wood pellets is unusual ash content of more than 5%, and even Grade B pellets under 1%. DD CEN/TS14961:2005 Specification & Classes Identify properties for wood pellets to be specified in fuel quality declaration. In table 3. are given fuel quality declaration (UK BSI Mirror Committee Health Warning, Forever Fuels, 2006 ). Bioenergy Association of New Zeland The draft wood pellet test fuel standard has been developed and compares well with international standards (http://www.bioenergy.org.nz) Moisture 4% to 8%, Bulk density min 640 kg/m3 Ash max 0.5% (oven dry basis) Gross calorific value 18 to 21 MJ/kg Diameter max 10 mm Length max 38 mm Fines max 1%

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Tab. 3. Biofuel quality declaration for wood pellets based on CEN/TS 14961 Tab. 3. Deklaracija za kvalitet biogoriva ya pelete od drveta na bayi CEN/TS 14961 PARAMETERS BIOFUEL QUALITY DECLARATION FOR WOOD PELLETS Producer Producer: Europellet Ltd information Size of package: 20 kg Origin Wood without bark (1.2.1.1) Traded form Wood pellet Normative Dimensions: Diameter 8 mm, length 40 mm (D08) Moisture content 10% (M10)Ash 0,7 w-% (A0.7) Mechanical durability: 97,5 % (DU97.5) Fines: 2 w-% (F2) Additives: 1 w-% starch used Informative Energy density: 100 kWh/package (4,7 kWh/kg) (E4.7[kWh/kg]) Store pellets in dry place and handle with care to avoid crushing of pellets The most important properties of energy pellets standards for New Zeland are givn in table 4. Tab. 4. New Zeland standards of energy pellets with comparison to international standards Tab. 4. Novozelandski standardi za energetske pelete u poreenju sa internacionalnim
Country Standard Class Calorific Value (Gross) MJ/kg Bulk Density kg/m3 Moisture (maximum) % 10 HP1 HP5 Group 2 min 18 17.5 - 19.5 18 min 16.9 18 - 21 min 500 min 640 8 0.5 10 12 Ash (maximum) % 0.70 0.50 1.50

Europe Austria Germany Sweden New Zeland BANZ

CEN/TS 14961 O-NORM M 7135 DIN 51731 DINP lus SS 18 71 20 AS/NZS 4014.6 2007.

Recommendation for Serbia In table 5. are given recommendation for physical and chemical properties of energy pellets for export from Serbia.

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Tab. 5. Recommendation for physical and chemical properties of pellets-Serbia export Tab. 5. Preporuka za fizike i hemijske osobine peleta za izvoz iz Srbije
Parameters Diameter Length Shape Moisture content Unit density Ash content Calorific value Sulphur Nitrogen Chlorine Value 4 10 mm 5 30 mm Cylindrical 10 18% 1 1,4 kg/dm3 0,5 6% 15,0 19,5 MJ/kg < 0,08% mass < 0,60% mass < 0,04% mass Parameters Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Copper Silver Quartz Mercury Lead Zinc Extract. halogens Value < 0,80 mg/kg < 0,50 mg/kg < 8 mg/kg < 5 mg/kg < 0,05 mg/kg < 100 mg/kg < 0,05 mg/kg < 10 mg/kg < 100 mg/kg < 3 mg/kg

CONCLUSION For export this products at European market, Republic of Serbia have to make a decision about standard for pelleted and briquetted biofuels in harmony with CEN classification norm. Wood pellets are a high quality consistent fuel. Pellet appliances combust wood pellets in an automated manner guaranteeing optimum combustion with low emissions. Under simulated real operational conditions pellet fires emit a fraction of the PM10 emissions of low emission wood burners. A deterioration in particulate emission performance over time is very unlikely Pellet fires emit low levels of NO2 and PAH. EPC will expand its existing commitment to providing a low cost, low emission renewable home heating option REFERENCES [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] BANZ. 2006. Pellet Fuel Standards essential for a growing industry, Website: http://www.bioenergy.org.nz/documents/publications/workshops/Nov_06/Pellet_Fuel Standards_essential_for_a_growing_industry.pdf. Brki M, Jani T. 2008. Evropski standard za peletirana i briketirana biogoriva, Revija agronomska saznanja, 18(5):80-83. Brki M, Jani T. 2008. Briketiranje i peletiranje biomase, Savremena poljoprivredna tehnika, 34(1-2):78-86, European Pellet Centre (EPC). 2005. Quality standards for pellets in European countries, Website: http://www.pelletcentre.info/cms/site.aspx?p=2550. Forever Fuels. 2006. Pellet Standards (http://www.foreverfuels.com/view/standards).

Acknowledgement: This investigation was financially supported by the Ministry of Science of the Republic of Serbia NP EE 273021. Primljeno: 08.01.2009. Prihvaeno: 29.01.2008. 267