[Stoves] URGENT help with measuring firewood properties

Sat Mar 3 17:05:47 CST 2012

Dear Bob

Immediately and without delay weigh each sample on a scale with 0.1 g resolution. Number them with a tag and put the sample in a small ziplock bag which also bears the same number.  Write the initial mass on the bag. (This should actually have been done when the sample was obtained. No matter, do the best you can now.)

If you can't find someone immediately with such a scale go to the nearest 'head shop' and buy a 400 g electronic balance with a folding lid. Those are 0.1 g. Might be $20. 

The tests you are looking for are 'ultimate analysis' and a bomb calorimeter test (giving HHV). Those can be obtained at any industrial lab. Ask for an XRD and XRF test and see what elements they can identify. 

As Frank mentioned a few hours ago, Carbon might not be in a chemically available form so getting a total carbon is not quite the same as the combination of XRD and XRF and Rational Analysis as provided by, say, a clay analysis lab. 

The ultimate analysis should give you MASHCON which is (as a % of the total):

Moisture
Ash
Sulphur
Hydrogen
Carbon
Oxygen
Nitrogen

The bomb calorimeter gives you total heat (HHV). From MASHCON you can calculate the LHV (available heat). 

You don't have to specify the tests, just the desired elements and HHV. If it is done at a coal lab, consult me before interpreting the results because they calculate % differently. 

Regards
Crispin
-----Original Message-----
From: rbtvl at aol.com
Sender: stoves-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2012 17:37:22 
To: <stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org>
Reply-To: Discussion of biomass cooking stoves
	<stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org>
Subject: [Stoves] URGENT   help with measuring firewood properties

_______________________________________________
Stoves mailing list

to Send a Message to the list, use the email address
stoves at lists.bioenergylists.org

to UNSUBSCRIBE or Change your List Settings use the web page
http://lists.bioenergylists.org/mailman/listinfo/stoves_lists.bioenergylists.org

for more Biomass Cooking Stoves,  News and Information see our web site:
http://www.bioenergylists.org/