Overview

CEN ISO/TS 20048-1:2022 - "Solid biofuels - Determination of off-gassing and oxygen depletion characteristics - Part 1" specifies a laboratory method to quantify off-gassing (permanent gases) and oxygen depletion from solid biofuels using closed test containers. The procedure covers woody and non-woody biomass, densified fuels (pellets, briquettes), non-densified materials (chips) and thermally treated products (torrefied, carbonized). Gas species and concentrations are measured by gas chromatography (GC) to derive emission and depletion factors and rates that inform ventilation and occupational safety measures.

Key topics and technical requirements

Test principle: Closed-container incubation of a representative biomass sample with periodic gas sampling and GC analysis to determine gas species and concentrations.
Measured outputs: Emission and depletion factor (total emitted/depleted per mass) and rate (per time) for each gas species; oxygen depletion profiles.
Instrumentation & apparatus: Requirements for test containers, gas samplers, temperature-controlled ovens, and GC analyzers. Sensitivity depends on the chromatographic equipment.
Sample handling: Guidance on biomass sampling, sample preparation, test sample size and porosity determination to ensure representativeness.
Procedure steps: Filling containers, container arrangement, controlled-temperature operation, gas sampling frequency, and GC analysis procedures.
Calculations & reporting: Methods to calculate emission/depletion factors and rates and requirements for a standardized test report.
Annexes:
- Annex A: GC quantification of gas species.
- Annex B: Estimation of ventilation requirements for enclosed spaces.
- Annex C: Use of GC data for open storage occupational hygiene.

Applications and who uses it

This technical specification is practical for:

Testing laboratories performing emissions characterization of pellets, briquettes and bulk biomass.
Biofuel manufacturers and quality control teams assessing storage risks for different fuel grades (including torrefied/carbonized products).
Warehouse and bulk storage operators for ventilation planning and safety management.
Occupational health & safety professionals and industrial hygienists estimating worker exposure and ensuring compliance with Permissible Exposure Levels (PEL).
Researchers and regulators studying emissions, fire/explosion risk, and storage best practices.

Practical uses include estimating ventilation rates for enclosed storage, screening fuel batches for high CO/volatile emissions, and informing safe handling procedures.

Related standards

Normative references cited in the document include:

ISO 16559, ISO 18135, ISO 14780, ISO 17827-2, ISO 17828, ISO 18134-1/-2, ISO 18846, ISO 18847. The specification aligns with ongoing work on preliminary operational screening (ISO/CD 20048-2).

Keywords: solid biofuels, off-gassing, oxygen depletion, gas chromatography, pellets, biomass storage, ventilation requirements, occupational exposure.

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Test principle: Closed-container incubation of a representative biomass sample with periodic gas sampling and GC analysis to determine gas species and concentrations.
Measured outputs: Emission and depletion factor (total emitted/depleted per mass) and rate (per time) for each gas species; oxygen depletion profiles.
Instrumentation & apparatus: Requirements for test containers, gas samplers, temperature-controlled ovens, and GC analyzers. Sensitivity depends on the chromatographic equipment.
Sample handling: Guidance on biomass sampling, sample preparation, test sample size and porosity determination to ensure representativeness.
Procedure steps: Filling containers, container arrangement, controlled-temperature operation, gas sampling frequency, and GC analysis procedures.
Calculations & reporting: Methods to calculate emission/depletion factors and rates and requirements for a standardized test report.
Annexes:
- Annex A: GC quantification of gas species.
- Annex B: Estimation of ventilation requirements for enclosed spaces.
- Annex C: Use of GC data for open storage occupational hygiene.

Applications and who uses it

This technical specification is practical for:

Testing laboratories performing emissions characterization of pellets, briquettes and bulk biomass.
Biofuel manufacturers and quality control teams assessing storage risks for different fuel grades (including torrefied/carbonized products).
Warehouse and bulk storage operators for ventilation planning and safety management.
Occupational health & safety professionals and industrial hygienists estimating worker exposure and ensuring compliance with Permissible Exposure Levels (PEL).
Researchers and regulators studying emissions, fire/explosion risk, and storage best practices.

Practical uses include estimating ventilation rates for enclosed storage, screening fuel batches for high CO/volatile emissions, and informing safe handling procedures.

Related standards

Normative references cited in the document include:

ISO 16559, ISO 18135, ISO 14780, ISO 17827-2, ISO 17828, ISO 18134-1/-2, ISO 18846, ISO 18847. The specification aligns with ongoing work on preliminary operational screening (ISO/CD 20048-2).

Keywords: solid biofuels, off-gassing, oxygen depletion, gas chromatography, pellets, biomass storage, ventilation requirements, occupational exposure.

CEN ISO/TS 20048-1:2022 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications and who uses it

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and technical requirements

Applications and who uses it

Related standards

Related standards

Solid biofuels - Vocabulary (ISO 16559:2022)

Solid Biofuels - Sampling (ISO 18135:2017)

Solid biofuels - Sample preparation - Amendment 1 (ISO 14780:2017/Amd 1:2019)

Solid biofuels - Determination of particle size distribution for uncompressed fuels - Part 2: Vibrating scree…

Solid biofuels - Determination of bulk density (ISO 17828:2025)

Solid biofuels - Determination of moisture content - Part 1: Reference method (ISO 18134-1:2022)

Solid biofuels — Determination of fines content in quantities of pellets

Solid biofuels - Determination of particle density of pellets and briquettes (ISO 18847:2024)