Certification of mixed biomass pellets a proposal from the MixBioPells project Thomas Zeng, Annett Pollex, Volker Lenz (DBFZ) Eia Alakangas (VTT) Marie Rönnbäck, Anna Sager (SP) Pellcert Workshop 2012, 20.06.2012, Brussels / Belgium
Background - Pellet consumption - www.poyry.co.uk/linked/services/pdf/110.pdf
Background - Pellet production - www.poyry.co.uk/linked/services/pdf/110.pdf
MixBioPells project - Objectives and outcomes - Dissemination project including seven European project partners - supported by the IEE programme Objectives and Outcomes: 1. Improvement of the data and information transfer and support of local bio-business activities 2. Increasing the public awareness 3. Development of a certification scheme for www.mixbiopells.eu alternative and mixed biomass pellets and boilers.
Main Project Outcomes All project results are summed up and prepared for specific target groups in several key publications: 1. Initiators handbook in seven languages which was developed in close co-operation with the local industry partners 2. Advisory papers for politicians and stakeholders 3. Draft of a certification scheme which was developed in close co-operation with the European Pellet Council
- Background - Difficulties due to combustion of alternative and mixed biopellets, especially in small scale, amplifies the need for quality systems and quality assurance of both fuel and combustion technologies. A well-designed certification scheme for both pellets and combustion technologies allocates alternative and mixed biopellets to the appropriate combustion appliance thus helping reducing hazardous emission and avoiding operational disturbances and high maintenance costs.
- Production - The certification system is based on the ENplus handbook and contains the following essential points: Requirements for pellet production and quality assurance (EN 15234-6) Requirements for the product (EN 14961-6) Requirements for labelling, logistics and intermediate storage Requirements for the delivery to end customers MixBioPells - IEE/09/758
- Production - The essential components of the labelling draft are: Inspection and verification of the compliance of the agro and mixed biopellets with the European standards, as well as the logistics system (up to the end customer s store), both according to the requirements written in this manual Specifications for the in-house quality management (certificate holder facilities and processes, employee qualifications, documentation duties, internal quality control) The execution of certification and external controls, license issuing and revoking, handling of complaints.
- Production - Differences to the ENplus certification of wood pellets (I) Requirements from EN 14961-6 No certification of traders For smaller producers self inspection once a day. Duration of certification 3 years including an annual inspection. Sustainability includes also CAP rules for cross compliance. No CO 2 calculations requested for small producers (< 5,000 tons). Check lists for a producer or a inspection body are included in the annexes. Additives are allowed to improve the fuel quality. The type (material and trade name) and quantity (in max.-%) must be documented.
- Production - Differences to the ENplus certification of wood pellets (II) Note about healthy and safety issues for delivery and storage added Raw material: Explained difference of blend and mixture in text Blend; composition is known: e.g. w.-% of pelletized mass Mixture: exact composition is not known only raw material. Note blends and mixtures can include also woody biomass Heavy metals are not normative in EN 14961-6, so only note about them added (raw material change and doubt of contamination) Ash melting behaviour is voluntary and all temperatures should be stated. For labelling examples of product decration based on EN 15234-6 is added.
- Production - Five different classes: ENagro-cereal straw straw pellets ENagro-miscanthus pellets ENagro-reed canary grass pellets ENagro-mixed pellets A ENagro-mixed pellets B
- Production - Example of how boiler manufacturer can label fuel requirements in a boiler sign
- Combustion - Compared to the combustion of woody biomass, the main fields of problems for the combustion of alternative and mixed biomass fuels are:
- Combustion - Overview of existing standards for testing pellet appliances: EN 303-5:2012, Heating boilers: Heating boilers for solid fuels, hand and automatically stoked, nominal heat output of up to 500 kw Testing fuels: wood logs, wood briquettes, wood pellets, a number of fossil fuels, non woody biomass or other solid fuels according to the range specification of the manufacturer or EN 14961-6 EN 14785:2006, Residential space heating appliances (< 50 kw) Testing fuels: wood pellets EN 15270:2007, Pellet burners for small heating boilers (< 70 kw) Testing fuel: high quality pellets. Other fuels will be considered in future amendments
- Combustion - Requirements in EN 303-5:2012 Production documentation Drawings including material used and welding process Quality manual Safety and design requirements Material used (steel/cast iron), wall thickness, water side connections, water side resistance, temperature control and limiting devices for open and closed vented system, cleaning of heating surfaces, insulation, electrical safety (according to EN 60335-1), etc. Boiler performance requirements Boiler efficiency Emission (CO, OGC and dust; NOx is optional) Heat output and combustion period (2h, 4h, 6h)
- Combustion - A two-step certification scheme is suggested: Step 1: Type tests according to the EN 303-5 with the ENagro labeled fuel will be done. boiler and safety requirements as well as the production documentation are proofed. Step 2: Additional test procedure a long term test following the EN303-5 test criteria, e.g. 48 hours must be carried out with the ENagro labeled fuel Evaluation of slagging, ash removal and corrosion. Harmonization on European level is needed to implement a sufficient labelling system for these boilers!
Thank you for your attention! www.mixbiopells.eu Thomas Zeng (DBFZ - project management) Phone: +49 (0) 341-2434-542 Fax: +49 (0) 341-2434-133 E-Mail: thomas.zeng@dbfz.de The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EACI nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.