Feedstock Characterization
This feedstock characterization matrix describes appropriate screening tests along with outcomes specific to bio-oil/bio-fuel synthesis as well as downstream refining and upgrading. Please contact us directly if you are interested in performing feedstock characteriztion tests.
| Screening Test Name | Main Outcomes Pertaining to Synthesis | Main Outcomes Pertaining to Refinery Integration | Standard Procedure / Code |
| Ultimate Analysis (C, H, N, S, Cl, O) | Determines the raw atomic framework. Tracks the basic carbon recovery efficiency of your reactor and flags toxic chlorine carryover that can deactivate synthetic loops. | Gives the precise weight percent of Oxygen. Engineers use this value to calculate hydroprocessing hydrogen consumption and predict flue-gas scrub requirements. | ASTM D3176 (Base), D5373 (CHN), D4239 (S), D6721 (Cl) |
| Proximate Analysis (Moisture, Ash, Volatiles, Fixed Carbon) | Volatile percentages directly dictate how much oil can be boiled out of the plant structure. High fixed carbon yields lean toward char/coke side-products instead of fluid. | Tracks the baseline ash footprint. High structural volatile values translate into reactive, oxygen-rich chemical crudes that require extensive downstream stabilizing. | ASTM D3172 / D7582 (Biomass variants: E871 / E1755 / E872, ash at 575°C) |
| Ash Elemental Analysis | Proves if your raw biomass species is carrying high alkali metal flags (like Silicon or Iron) that alter basic thermal cracking pathways during pyrolyzing steps. | Crucial for catalyst longevity. Pinpoints exact concentrations of trace inorganic foulants that chemically blind hydroprocessing active site surfaces. | ASTM E1755 or ASTM D4326 |
| Ash Fusion Temperatures | Identifies the precise melting stages of mineral debris. Keeps researchers from accidentally slagging, melting, or freezing their laboratory reactor components during high-temp runs. | Dictates refinery furnace safety thresholds. Prevents commercial co-processing units or combustors from forming glass-like fouling deposits on heating tubes. | ASTM D1857 (Reducing & Oxidizing atmospheres) |
| Particle Size Distribution (Sieve/Sizing) | Directly regulates core heat transfer rates. If particles are too thick, the core remains uncracked; if too fine, they blow out of the heating zone before reacting. | Influences raw filtration requirements. Predicts downstream filter cake build-up and handles blockages in the primary fluid extraction streams. | ISO 17827-1 / 17827-2, classing via ISO 17225-1 (Optional: ASTM E828 d₉₀) |
| Bulk Density (Loose & Tapped) | Fixes the total volumetric feeding rates of your reactor. Governs the physical sizing of internal reactor screw augers and entry locks. | Controls logistical transportation economics and storage bunker capacities. Directly determines how many tons of raw feedstock can physically reside on-site. | ISO 17828, classification per ISO 17225-2 (e.g., BD650) |
| High Heating Value (HHV / Bomb Calorimetry) | Establishes the solid feedstock's true starting chemical energy storage index. Evaluates if the synthesis strategy is successfully concentrating energy from wood to fluid. | Serves as the master economic baseline. Used to calculate total thermal efficiency offsets when integrating the raw biomass processing into a petrochemical facility. | ASTM E711, ISO 18125 |
| Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) / Grind Energy | Quantifies the mechanical energy and electrical cost needed to fracture the biomass structures down into processable sizes. | Pre-defines refinery utility power loads. Tells engineers if a mill facility has the sheer capacity to pulverize the target feedstocks at an industrial pace. | ASTM D409 / D5003 (Modified for fibrous biomass) |
| Structural Carbohydrates (Cellulose, Hemicellulose, Lignin) | Maps out the primary organic fractions. Higher cellulose yields light volatiles, while rich lignin structures generate heavy, aromatic pyrolytic oils. | Foretells final oil complexity. Lignin-dense inputs demand vastly more stabilization processing downstream due to highly persistent phenolic rings. | NREL/TP-510-42618 (Standard LAP protocol) |
| Total Extractives Content (Water/Ethanol Solubles) | Identifies transient loosely-bound components (tannins, fats, waxes) that vaporize or decompose instantly at very low temperatures. | Flags immediate foaming and high-acidity risks. Extractives are notorious for breaking down into corrosive volatile fractions early in processing. | NREL/TP-510-42619 |
| Trace Corrosive Halogens (Fluorine & Bromine via IC) | Discovers aggressive, hidden trace anions within specialized waste crops or municipal solid waste feedstocks that pit and dissolve stainless steel. | Critical for metallurgy protection. Prevents severe stress corrosion cracking in high-pressure hydrotreating loops and limits downstream fuel contamination. | ASTM D7359 (Ion chromatography deconvolution) |
| Thermogravimetric Pyrolysis Profile (TGA Kinetics) | Acts as a small chemical preview. Plots the exact temperature points where different feedstocks flash-volatize, establishing targeted reactor temperature ranges. | Direct indicator of thermal coke production. Measures how much un-volatized residue will instantly plug downstream catalytic cracker beds. | ASTM E1131 |