A comparative assessment of biomass ash preparation methods using X-ray fluorescence and wet chemical analysis. (15th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xing, P.; Mason, P.E.; Chilton, S.; Lloyd, S.; Jones, J.M.; Williams, A.; Nimmo, W.; Pourkashanian, M.
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 182(2016)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 165
• Publication Date: 2016-10-15
• Subjects: X-ray fluorescence -- Biomass ash -- Analysis; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2016.05.081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Highlights: Significant unburned carbon in biomass ash produced at 550 °C is demonstrated by STA. Analyses using XRF and wet chemical methods presented for various biomass ashes heated to 850 °C. Biomass ash heated to 815 °C gives improved consistency and reliability in XRF ash analysis. Abstract: X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy is a rapid method used to determine the composition of biomass ash, but the accuracy of the method is sensitive to various factors including ash preparation methods. In this study different types of biomass ash were examined by using wet chemical analysis (WCA) and compared with the respective XRF results. The biomass ash was initially prepared in accordance with the European Standard method at 550 °C. At this low combustion temperature the amount of residual unburned carbon is significant. To eliminate this, the ashes were heated at higher temperatures: a batch of twenty biomass ashes were heated at 850 °C and a batch of five heated to 815 °C. At these higher temperatures there may be loss of inorganic components by vaporisation. Variation in these effects may lead to unreliable results. The relationship between XRF and WCA results are given by regression equations. The ashes processed at 815 °C show better agreement between the two analysis methods.