CEN Standard for fuel specification,

classes and quality assurance

Jouni Valtanen, Finnish Forest Industries Federation
Eija Alakangas, VTT
CEN/TC 335/WG 2 Fuel specification, classes and quality assurance
EU Bionet Workshop Wood Fuel Quality, Standards & Certification
Teagasc, Co Carlow, 2007-08-30

http://www.eubionet.net

CEN/TC 335 technical specifications

for solid biofuels
28 CEN Technical Specifications (prestandards) have been
written by five different Working Groups

WG 1: Terminology, definitions and description

WG 2: Fuel specifications, classes and quality assurance
Fuel specifications and classes (CEN/TS 14961)
Fuel quality assurance (CEN/TS 15234)

WG 3: Sampling and sample reduction

WG 4: Physical and mechanical test methods
WG 5: Chemical test methods
Upgrading Technical Specifications to EN standards
ongoing (2007 2010)

FFIF
2

21.8.2007

Specification and classes (CEN/TS 14961)

The classification is based on origin and source, major

traded forms and property grades

Hierarchical classification system in table format:
1. Woody biomass (from forest and wood processing
industry, used wood)
2. Herbaceous biomass
3. Fruit biomass
4. Biomass blends and mixtures
blends = intentional
mixtures = unintentional
For all user groups
Special requirements for chemically treated biomass
Chemical treatment defined as any treatment with
chemicals other than air or water (e.g. glue and paint)
FFIF

21.8.2007

Origin and source

1. Woody biomass
1.2. Wood
processing
industry, byproducts and
residues

1.2.1 Chemically untreated 1.2.1.1 Wood without bark

wood residues
1.2.1.2 Wood with bark *
1.2.1.3 Bark (from industry
operations)*
1.2.1.4 Blends and mixtures
1.2.2 Chemically treated
wood residues

1.2.3 Fibrous waste from

the pulp and paper
industry

1.2.2.1 Wood without bark

1.2.2.2 Wood with bark *
1.2.2.3 Bark (from industry
operations)*
1.2.2.4 Blends and mixtures
1.2.3.1 Chemically untreated fibrous
waste
1.2.3.2 Chemically treated fibrous
waste

* cork is under bark

FFIF
4

21.8.2007

Specification for traded forms

Grade tables for major

traded forms
briquettes
pellets
exhausted olive cake
wood chips
hog fuel
wood logs
sawdust
bark
straw bales
General master table for others

FFIF
5

21.8.2007

Properties

The classification is flexible, and hence the producer or

the consumer may select freely from each property class
This classification does not bind different characteristics to
each other
A table for the traded forms including property classes
Example M10, means that the moisture content has to be
10% on average
Some of the properties are normative (mandatory)
Origin and source always have to be stated
Normative properties vary depending both on origin and
traded form
Moisture content (M) and ash content (A) are normative for
all fuels
Some properties are voluntary (informative), but they are
recommended to be stated
Informative Annex for special high quality grades of solid
biofuels (Examples for wood briquettes, pellets, chips and
log wood) recommended for household usage
FFIF

21.8.2007

How to use the classification

Boiler/burner manufacturers can select the property

classes for their product

The product can be marked with the classification

Manufacturer
Output
Fuel
Classification
(CEN/TS14961)

Pelletburners Ltd
15 kW
Wood pellets (1.2.1.1/1.2.1.4)
D08/D06, M10, A0.7, DU97.5, F2.0

For packages information should be marked on the

packages (=Fuel quality declaration), see CEN/TS 15234

For bulk material the Fuel Quality Declaration should be
used

FFIF

Fuel quality assurance (CEN/TS 15234)

Documention of the origin and source

Fuel Quality Declaration

End-user

Raw
material

Identification
and
collection of
raw material

Production/
preparation of
solid biofuels

Trade and
delivery of
solid
biofuels

Reception of
solid biofuel
by end-user

Supply chain activities covered by CEN/TS 15234

Combustion
unit or other
conversion
unit

traceability exists.
requirements that influence the product quality is
controlled.
the end-user can have confidence in the product quality.

FFIF
8

21.8.2007

Fuel quality assurance (CEN/TS 15234)

Based on the ISO 9000:2000 standards, of which

only quality assurance and part of quality control
has been utilised
Can be used without ISO 9000 standard
Fuel supply chain has to be described as a
process and documentation is important.
Critical control points
are points within or between processes at which relevant
properties can be most readily assessed,
also the points that offer the greatest potential for quality
improvement

FFIF
9

21.8.2007

Content of quality assurance

(CEN/TS 15234)

Quality assurance measures

production requirements
transportation, handling and storage
Fuel Quality Declaration and labelling

Quality control measures

Specification of origin and source
Specification of traded forms
Determination of properties
sampling and sample handling
determination of normative properties
determination of informative properties
accuracy

Several examples of documentation of production requirements

e.g. pellet production
Examples of Fuel Quality Declarations
Calculation of net calorific value for moist biofuels
10

21.8.2007

FFIF

Methodology for quality assurance

Step 1: Document the steps in the production chain (flow sheet)
Step 2: Define specification(s) for the product(s)
Step 3: Analyse factors influencing product quality and
company performance
This includes also transportation, handling and storage

Step 4: Identify and document Critical Control Points for

compliance with the product specification.
Step 5: Select the appropriate measures that give confidence to
customers that the specification(s) is/are being realised, by
identifying and documenting criteria and methods to ensure appropriate
control of Critical Control Points,
monitoring and controlling the production process and making
necessary adjustments for compliance with the quality requirements.

Step 6: Establish and document routines for separate handling

of non-conforming materials and products.
11

21.8.2007

FFIF

Production documentation

Documents shall be dated and signed the person

allocated and authorised by the producer

Documents shall be available on justified request
throughout the entire supply chain.
Fuel supplier will make a Fuel Quality Declaration to
end-user or retailer.
A template example for a Fuel Quality Declaration is
given in informative Annex with some examples.
For package solid biofuels the quality information shall
be labelled on the packages. Suitable storage
conditions shall also be required on the packaging.
FFIF

12

21.8.2007

Example of Fuel quality declaration of wood pellets

Producers

EAA Biofuels
P.O. Box 1603
FI-40101 Jyvskyl
tel. +358 20722 2550
E-mail: info@eaabiofuels.com

Origin:
Traded Form:

1.2.1.1 Wood without bark (cutter shavings)

Country of origin

Jyvskyl, Finland

Pellets

Normative (CEN/TS 14961:2005)

Dimensions (mm)
Diameter (D) and Length (L)

D08

8 mm

Moisture
(w-% as received)

M10

10 %

Ash
(w-% of dry basis)

A0.7

0,7%

Mechanical durability
(w-% of pellets after testing)

DU97.5

97,5 % (Quality class 1)

Amount of fines
(w-%, < 3.15 mm)
after production at factory gatea
Additives
(w-% of pressing mass)

0,5 mm, and L 4 x Diameter

1,0 % for small bags

F1.0
In last possible place in the production site

Starch < 1

Informative (CEN/TS 14961:2005)

13

21.8.2007

> 600 kg/m3

Bulk density as received (kg/m3 loose)

DB600

Energy density, E

E4.7 [kWh/kg]

FFIF

Quality control

Properties may not be needed to measure, if they

are known through information about the origin and
handling/preparation
e.g. by litterature (net calorific value of saw dust)
by experience

Visual inspection is very important in quality control

Working instructions and training of staff is utmost

important.
If laboratory analysis is needed, use
a) simplified methods
b) reference methods (CEN methods for sampling and
physical/chemical analysis or methods referable to them)
FFIF

14

21.8.2007

Target in the future

BIOENERGY STATION
D 0.6
DU 97.5

D 0.8
DU 97.5
TAKE A PACK

20kg

20kg

FFIF
15

21.8.2007