EN 14780 Solid Biofuels - Sample Preparation

EUROLAB laboratory provides testing and compliance services within the scope of EN 14780 standard. The EN 14780 standard describes methods for reducing pooled samples (or increments) to laboratory samples and laboratory samples to subsamples and general analysis samples and is applicable to solid biofuels.

The methods described in this European Standard include, for example, the calorific value of samples, moisture content, ash content, bulk density, durability, particle size distribution, ash melting behavior, chemical composition, and impurities. The methods are not intended to be applied to very large samples required for testing bridging properties.

The main purpose of sample preparation is to reduce the sample to one or more test pieces that are generally smaller than the original sample. The basic principle of sample reduction is that the composition of the sample taken in situ is not changed at each stage of sample preparation. Each subsample should represent the original sample.

To achieve this goal, each particle in the sample must have an equal probability of being included in the subsample following sample splitting before sample splitting. Two basic methods are used during sample preparation. These methods are:

• Example partition;
• Reducing the particle size of the sample.

Due to the risk of change in moisture content (moisture loss), a subsample (moisture analysis sample) should be separated as early as possible in the sample preparation procedure. Alternatively, a separate moisture analysis sample may be taken. Sample reduction must be carried out by a procedure that does not conflict with the requirements of EN 14774-1 or EN 14774-2. For materials that need to be inspected for moisture content, care should be taken to avoid any significant heat generation and risk of drying.

Sample splitting is the process of reducing the mass of the sample without reducing the size of the particles. This subclause gives some suitable apparatus for this purpose. It is necessary to determine the correct use of each apparatus for different purposes.

EUROLAB, with its more than 25 years of experience, state-of-the-art accredited laboratories and expert team, helps you get precise and fast results. Do not hesitate to contact our laboratory for your testing and certification requests.