Developing methodology for petrographic analysis of solid biomass in reflected light

Abstract

As concerns about climate change and sustainability rise, biomass utilization has a potential to become one of the pillars of the future energy market. It is therefore critical to assure that solid biomass fuels are of the highest quality and do not contribute to avoidable air pollution. Our research has shown that petrographic analysis of solid biomass in reflected light can quickly and reliably provide information on fuel composition and contamination. As such, this technique has a potential to improve our understanding of raw fuel properties and, in some instances, even predict parameters of their combustion emissions.This paper provides guidelines for conducting microscopic analysis of wood pellets and charcoal-based fuels in reflected light. It presents two preliminary microscopic classifications of solid biomass components and emphasizes the need for training materials, exemplified by recently published photomicrograph atlases. Our research indicates that pairing reflected light microscopy with the currently used standard testing would enhance the quality assessment of solid biomass. To achieve this, the methodology must be promoted, tested for interlaboratory reproducibility, and finally standardized.