CEN/TS 15150:2005

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2005
7UGQDELRJRULYD±0HWRGH]DGRORþHYDQMHSURVWRUQLQVNHPDVH
Solid biofuels - Methods for the determination of particle density
Feste Biobrennstoffe - Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Teilchendichte
Biocombustibles solides - Méthode de détermination de la masse volumique des
particules
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 15150:2005
ICS:
75.160.10 Trda goriva Solid fuels
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CEN/TS 15150
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
August 2005
ICS 75.160.10
English Version
Solid biofuels - Methods for the determination of particle density
Combustibles solides - Méthode de détermination de la Feste Biobrennstoffe - Verfahren zur Bestimmung der
masse volumique des particules Teilchendichte
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 4 June 2005 for provisional application.
The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.
CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 15150:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3
1 Scope .4
2 Normative references .4
3 Terms and definitions.4
4 Principle.4
5 Reagents.5
6 Apparatus .5
7 Sample preparation.7
8 Procedure .7
9 Calculation.9
10 Precision.9
11 Test report .9
Annex A (informative) Stereometric volume estimation.10

Bibliography.12

Foreword
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS 15150:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 335
“Solid Biofuels”, the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this CEN Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This Technical Specification describes the method for determining the particle density of compressed fuels
such as pellets or briquettes. Particle density is not an absolute value and conditions for its determination
have to be standardised to enable comparative determinations to be made.
NOTE Particle density is subject to variation due to the susceptibility of organic material to environmental or technical
impacts such as air humidity, vibration, abrasion or biodegradation. Particle density can therefore vary during time, thus
the measured values should be regarded as a momentary fuel property.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
CEN/TS 14588:2003 Solid biofuels – Terminology, definitions and descriptions
CEN/TS 14774-1:2004 Solid biofuels – Methods for determination of moisture content – Oven dry method -
Part 1: Total moisture – Reference method
CEN/TS 14774-2:2004 Solid biofuels – Methods for determination of moisture content – Oven dry method -
Part 2: Total moisture – Simplified procedure
prCEN/TS 14778-1, Solid biofuels – Sampling – Part 1: Methods for sampling
prCEN/TS 14778-2, Solid biofuels – Sampling – Part 2: Method for sampling particulate material transported
in lorries
prCEN/TS 14779, Solid biofuels – Sampling – Method for preparing sampling plans and sampling certificates
prCEN/TS 14780, Solid biofuels – Methods for sample preparation
CEN/TS 14961:2005, Solid biofuels – Fuel Specifications and Classes

3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this Technical Specification, the terms and definitions given in CEN/TS 14588 shall apply.
4 Principle
Both mass and volume of an individual particle or a group of particles are determined. The volume is
measured by determining the buoyancy in a liquid. This procedure follows the physical principle that the
buoyancy of a body is equal to the weight of the displaced volume of a liquid. The apparent loss in weight
between a measurement in air and a subsequent measurement in liquid marks its buoyancy. The volume of
the sample body is calculated via the density of the applied liquid.
NOTE The particle density of briquettes could also be estimated by stereometric means (see informative Annex A). This
estimation could also be made if pellets are cut to determine their volume by stereometric means. Be aware of a higher
variability between the replications when applying the stereometric measuring principle.
5 Reagents
5.1 Water with low content of ions (e.g. drinking water quality) in a temperature range of 10 °C to 30 °C
5.2 A detergent named O-[4-(1,1,3,3-Tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl]-deca(oxyethylen, Octylphenoldecaethylen-
glycolether, Polyethylenglycol-mono-[p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl]-ether
NOTE The exclusive use of this specific detergent with given characteristics allows to apply a fixed value for the density of
the liquid (mixture with water) and ensures constant properties as wetting agent. The detergent is, for example traded ®
under the name Triton X-100. The density at 20 °C is 1,07 g/l.
5.3 Paraffin with a melting point of 52 to 54 °C.
6 Apparatus
6.1 General apparatus requirements
6.1.1 Thermometer for liquids having a measuring accuracy of 1 °C
6.1.2 Facilities for moisture content determination according to CEN/TS 14774-1 or 14774-2
6.2 Apparatus for pellet testing
6.2.1 A balance, having sufficient accuracy to determine the weight to the nearest 0,001 g. Due to the high
sensitivity of the balance the test rig shall be placed into a wind protection cabinet to allow undisturbed and
immediate reading of the displayed values.
6.2.2 A transparent beaker glass of about 200 ml filling volume
6.2.3 A density determination rig which can be placed on the
balance. The rig consists of a bridge which
overstretches the weighing plate of the balance in order
to prevent the balance from being loaded. The bridge is
capable of carrying the beaker glass (clause 5.2.2).
Through a supporting frame with suspension rods a
weighing dish ("submergence dish") is hung into the
beaker glass (Figure 1) which is filled with liquid. The
dish shall be able to accommodate at least four pellets
at once. Both, the supporting frame and the
submergence dish are directly loaded on the balance
plate. The submergence apparatus (the dish and the
suspension) can be removed for being loaded with
pellets. Through the dish suspension the submergence
depth is always kept constant. The bottom of the
submergence dish is perforated by openings which are
smaller in diameter than the diameter of the pellets.
This perforation allows the liquid to fill the dish from
underneath when it is submerged. If sample material of
low density shall be applied (below 1,0 g/cm) a
modified suspension having an inverted submergence
dish is required; this is to force the pellets underneath
the liquid surface and prevent them from floating atop of
the liquid. For the determination of the mass in air it is
useful to use a combined test rig where an additional
Figure 1: Buoyancy determination rig on a
upper weighing dish is fixed to the suspension
balance (method for pellets)
(Figure 1).
6.3 Apparatus for briquette testing
6.3.1 A balance, having sufficient accuracy to determine the weight to the nearest 0,01 g. If briquettes of
more than 500 g each are tested the accuracy of the balance can be reduced to 0,1 g. The balance
must have a connecting point for hanging a weight to its load cell.
6.3.2 A transparent container for liquids having a sufficient filling volume to accommodate the liquid and the
submerged briquette.
NOTE A sufficient filling volume is usually achieved when the container's cross section is about 8 times larger than the
cross section of the briquette. In this case any effects by level changes of the liquid caused by submersion of the briquette
are negligible. Such error would be due to a larger part of the holding steel string (see 6.3.3) being submerged.

6.3.3 A non absorbent thin steel string which can be hung to
the connecting point of the balance. The end of the string
is equipped with a hook or a ring, which allows an easy
appending of the sample.
6.3.4 A tripod where the balance can be placed on. The tripod
must have a plate with an opening which allows the
string to pass through unhindered while hanging to the
balance (Figure 2).
6.3.5 A steel loop or any other steel support device which
allows to fix the briquette to the lower connecting point of
the string
6.3.6 If sample material of low density shall be tested (below
1,0 g/cm ) a removable weight is required, which is
positioned onto the sample in a way which prevents the
briquette from floating atop of the liquid.

Figure 2: Buoyancy determination rig
using a hanging load to a balance
(method for briquettes)
7 Sample preparation
7.1 Sampling and sample preparation shall be done in accordance with prCEN/TS 14778-1, prCEN/TS
14778-2, prCEN/TS 14779 and prCEN/TS 14780.
7.2 A total sample weight of 500 g (pellets with a diameter equal to or below 12 mm) or 1000 g for pellets
with a diameter above 12 mm or a minimum of 15 briquettes is required.
7.3 From the fuel a sub-sample of minimum 40 pellets or 10 briquettes is selected and stored in the room
where the measuring will be conducted for at least two days.
7.4 For low density and coarse textured briquettes a rapid disintegration after submergence in the liquid
may happen, thus the reading may be difficult to take. The sample can then be coated by submerging in liquid
paraffin (clause 5.3), preferable at a temperature of 90 °C.

NOTE Be aware of the additional volume which reduces the density slightly.
8 Procedure
8.1 Procedure for pellets (up to a diameter of 25 mm according to CEN/TS14961)
8.1.1 Fill the beaker glass with water to a filling level which ensures that full submersion of all pellets on the
submergence dish can be achieved.
8.1.2 Add 1,5 grams per litre of the detergent as described in Clause 5 to the water in the beaker glass and
stir until full homogeneity of the liquid is achieved. Position the beaker glass with the liquid onto the bridge.
NOTE 1 At 1,5 grams per litre of the above detergent the critical miscelle concentration in water (xCMC=0,15 g/l) is
exceeded by ten times. It is advised to use a magnetic stirring device for better homogeneity.
8.1.3 Check the temperature of the liquid within reasonable intervals.
8.1.4 Determine the total weight of a group of at least four pellets in air and record the measurement to the
nearest 0,001 g.
8.1.5 Position the empty submergence apparatus onto the designated bracket of the supporting frame. The
submergence apparatus shall not touch the bottom or the walls of the beaker glass.
8.1.6 Tare the balance to zero while the empty submergence dish is b
...