Overview
EN ISO 21663:2020 (CEN adoption) specifies instrumental methods for the determination of total carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) in solid recovered fuels (SRF). The standard covers both micro (milligram test portions) and macro (gram test portions) instrumental apparatus and procedures, and applies to results expressed on a dry matter basis for concentrations of C > 0.1%, N > 0.1%, H > 0.1% and S > 0.05%. It replaces EN 15407:2011 and provides guidance on sample handling, calibration, analysis and reporting.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope and applicability: Total C, H, N and S determination in SRF using instrumental combustion methods; micro vs macro methods depending on test portion size.
- Principle: Combustion/oxidation of a known mass and conversion of combustion products (CO2, H2O, N2/NOx, SOx) to species measurable by detectors.
- Sample handling: Requirements for laboratory sample, general analysis sample and test portion preparation; emphasis on careful preparation for micro-methods.
- Calibration and reagents: Use of suitable calibration standards and carrier gases; calibration procedures and verification to ensure measurement traceability.
- Apparatus and procedure: Instrumental analyzers for elemental analysis; procedural steps for sample introduction, combustion, product treatment and detection.
- Performance characteristics: Precision, coefficient of variation and robustness testing data are addressed; laboratories should follow these performance criteria.
- Safety and reporting: Safety instructions for instrument operation and required contents of the test report.
Practical Applications
- Quality control and fuel specification: Characterising SRF for combustion performance, calorific value estimation and feedstock specification.
- Regulatory compliance and environmental reporting: Supporting emissions calculations and compliance with permits by providing reliable C/H/N/S data.
- Waste-to-energy and cement industries: Input fuel characterisation for process control, burner tuning and slag/ash management.
- Laboratory accreditation and inter-lab comparisons: Standardised method for routine elemental analysis in accredited testing labs.
Who should use this standard
- Analytical and environmental laboratories performing SRF testing
- SRF producers and fuel suppliers for product specification
- Waste‑to‑energy and industrial combustion facilities for fuel characterisation
- Regulatory bodies and conformity assessment organizations
Related Standards
- ISO 21637 - Terminology and definitions for SRF
- ISO 21660-3 - Moisture determination for SRF (oven dry method)
- ISO 21646 - Sample preparation for SRF
- Superseded: EN 15407:2011
Keywords: EN ISO 21663:2020, solid recovered fuels, SRF, carbon hydrogen nitrogen sulphur, elemental analysis, instrumental method, micro method, macro method, dry basis.
