CEN/TC 343/WG 3 - Sampling, sample reduction and supplementary test methods

This document specifies methods for sample preparation to ensure representativeness of the samples throughout the preparation procedures to produce general analysis samples. Suitable test portions can be taken from the laboratory or general analysis samples and used for analysis according to the specific requirements defined in the corresponding analytical procedures.
This document specifies the correct sample preparation sequence to be applied to:
a) the composite sample, in order to produce a laboratory sample (taking into account large pieces of solid recovered fuel);
b) each sub-sampling step throughout the testing programme;
c) the laboratory sample, in order to obtain suitable test portions;
d) ensure the representativeness of the test portions that have been taken according to the sample preparation plan, prior to physical analysis, chemical analysis or both (e.g. extractions, digestion, analytical determinations).
The methods specified in this document can be used for sample preparation, for example, when the samples are to be tested for bulk density, biomass content determination, mechanical durability, particle size distribution, moisture content, ash content, ash melting behaviour, calorific value, chemical composition, impurities and self-heating properties. The methods are not intended to be applied to the very large samples required for the testing of bridging properties.

This document specifies methods for taking samples of solid recovered fuels for example from production plants, from deliveries or from stock. It includes manual and mechanical methods.
It is not applicable to solid recovered fuels that are formed by liquid or sludge, but it includes dewatered sludge.

This document specifies three methods for the determination of the biomass content in solid recovered fuels: the 14C content method, the selective dissolution and the manual sorting methods.

This European Standard specifies a method to determine the current rate of aerobic microbial activity of a
solid recovered fuel. The methods indirectly estimate the potentiality of odours production, vectors attraction
etc. The current rate of biodegradation can be expressed in milligrams O2 kg dm-1 h-1.
WARNING - SRF can contain potentially pathogenic organisms. Take appropriate precautions when
handling them and those whose properties are unknown.

This Technical Report gives an overview of the suitability of 14C-based methods for the determination of the fraction of biomass carbon in solid recovered fuels, using detection by scintillation, gas ionization and mass spectrometry.

This Technical Report considers aspects of occupational safety and health within the scope of CEN/TC 343: production and trade of solid recovered fuels.

This document considers the relative difference between the biodegradable fraction and the biogenic fraction of solid recovered fuels prepared from non-hazardous waste for energy recovery and whether there is a need to develop two sets of standards or only one set for the determination of these fractions in order to define the biomass content of SRFs.

This European Standard specifies methods for reducing combined samples to laboratory samples and laboratory samples to sub-samples and general analysis samples.
The methods described in this European Standard may be used for sample preparation, for example, when the samples are to be tested for bulk density, biomass determination, durability, particle size distribution, moisture content, ash content, ash melting behaviour, calorific value, chemical composition, and impurities. The methods are not intended to be applied to the very large samples required for the testing of bridging properties.

This European Standard specifies methods for taking samples of solid recovered fuels for example from production plants, from deliveries or from stock. It includes manual and mechanical methods.
It is not applicable to solid recovered fuels that are formed by liquid or sludge, but it includes dewatered sludge.

TC - Correction of Figures A.2 and A.3 - Chemestry

This European Standard specifies three normative methods for the determination of the biomass fraction in solid recovered fuel, and when to use each method. The methods are the selective dissolution in a hydrogen peroxide/sulphuric acid mixture, the manual sorting method and the method based on the 14C content.

This Technical Specification specifies a method to determine the current rate of potential microbial self-heating of a solid recovered fuel. The methods indirectly estimate the potential risk of microbial self-heating, odour production, vector attraction etc. The current rate of biodegradation can be expressed in milligrams O2 kg TDS-1 h-1.

This Technical Specification specifies the test methods for the determination of the biomass carbon content in solid recovered fuels based on the 14C content. The biomass fraction by weight and by energy are calculated from the biomass carbon content.

This Technical Specification specifies two normative methods and one informative method for the determination of the biodegradable/biogenic fraction in solid recovered fuel. The methods are the selective dissolution in sulphuric acid, the manual sorting method and the informative reductionistic method. The methods estimate the biodegradable/biogenic content of solid recovered fuels by determination of the biomass content.
This Technical Specification is not applicable to:
-   pure fractions of waste, products and by-products classified as CO2-neutral biomass according to Annex G;
-   charcoal, peat and solid fossil fuels like hard coal, coke, brown coal and lignite and to mixtures of these and solid recovered fuels;
-   solid recovered fuels that contain more than 10 % of natural and/or synthetic rubber residues;
-   solid recovered fuels that contain a combination of more than 5 % by weight of:
-   nylon, polyurethane or other polymers containing molecular amino groups;
-   biodegradable plastics of fossil origin;
-   solid recovered fuels that contain a combination of more than 5 % by weight of:
-   wool or viscose;
-   non-biodegradable plastics of biogenic origin;
-   oil or fat present as a constituent of biomass.
NOTE   In typical municipal and assimilated waste the content of nylon, polyurethane, biodegradable plastics of fossil origin, wool, viscose, non-biodegradable plastics of biogenic origin and oil/fat present is rather small and the error is negligible.

This Technical Specification describes methods for reducing combined samples to laboratory samples and laboratory samples to sub-samples and general analysis samples, and is applicable to solid recovered fuels that are either:
-   fine and regularly-shaped particulate materials, particle sizes up to about 10 mm that can be sampled using a scoop or pipe, for example: soft and hard pellets;
-   coarse or irregularly-shaped particulate materials, particle sizes up to about 200 mm that can be sampled using a shovel, for example: fluff, chips and chunks;
-   large pieces with nominal top size above 200 mm.
The methods described in this Technical Specification may be used for sample preparation, for example, when the samples are to be tested for bulk density, biomass determination, durability, particle size distribution, moisture content, ash content, ash melting behaviour, calorific value, chemical composition, and impurities. The methods are not intended to be applied to the very large samples required for the testing of bridging properties.

This Technical Specification describes methods for taking samples of solid recovered fuels for example from production plants, from deliveries or from stock. It includes manual and mechanical methods.
It is not applicable to solid recovered fuels that are formed by liquid or sludge, but it includes dewatered sludge.