European Standards for Fuel Specification and Classes of Solid Biofuels

Abstract

The technical committee developing the draft standard to describe all forms of solid biofuels within Europe (CEN/TC 335) has published 27 technical specifications for solid biofuels. The two most important are classification and specification (CEN/TS 14961) and quality assurance (CEN/TS 15234). Now these technical specifications are upgraded to full European standards (EN). Both these standards will be published as multipart standards. Part 1 – General requirements of EN 14961-1 includes all solid biofuels and is targeted for all user groups. The classification of solid biofuels is based on their origin and source and biofuels are divided to four sub-categories: (1) Woody biomass, (2) Herbaceous biomass, (3) Fruit biomass, and (4) Blends and mixtures. The quality tables were prepared only for major traded forms. Parts 2–6 are product standards, which are targeted for non-industrial use. Non-industrial use means fuel intended to be used in smaller appliances, such as in households and small commercial and public sector buildings. In the product standards all properties are normative and they are bound together to form a class, for example A1, A2, and B. Although these product standards may be obtained separately, it should be recognized that they require an understanding of the standards based on and supporting EN 14961-1. This chapter concentrates on Part 1 of EN 14961, which was published in 2010. The remaining five product standards are being drafted and are at the voting stage, with an expected publication date within 2010.