17.08.2015   The Asian Biomass Handbook

Estimating heating value by calculation

Heating values of biomass types shown in Tables 2.4.1 and 2.4.2 were all measured. Attempts are being made to estimate heating value by calculating it from information such as the values obtained by elemental analyses of the materials. A number of equations have been proposed, one of which is given here.

High heating value (HHV) [MJ/dry-kg] = 0.4571 (%C dry standard) — 2.70

Table 2.4.3 compares the heating values calculated with this equation and those obtained by measurement. Except for sludge, biosolids, the results coincide closely.

Table 2.4.3. Comparison of the measured and calculated heating values of biomass.

Feedstock biomass

High heating value: measured

High heating value: calculated

Error [%]

Cellulose

17.51

17.61

+0.59

Pine

21.24

20.98

-1.23

Giant brown kelp

10.01

9.94

-0.70

Water hyacinth

16.00

16.09

+0.54

Cattle manure

13.37

13.34

-0.19

Biosolids

19.86

17.30

-12.90

Bitumen

28.28

28.84

+1.98

Further information

Ogi, T. in “Biomass Handbook", Japan Institute of Ed., Ohm-sha, 2002, PP. 16-19 (in Japanese)