• Feedstocks Analysed at Celignis
    Sawmill Residues

Background on Sawmill Residues

The residues from the sawmill industry are a large potential biomass resource. For example, in 2006 approximately 2.2 million cubic metres of timber was used in Irish sawmills and this was said to have resulted in the production of 1.1 million cubic metres of sawmill residues. These residues can be classified as bark, woodchips, or sawdust and have current uses in panelboard mills and for the generation of process heat and power. However, it has been estimated that the remaining quantities of residues could still be a significant resource for biorefining.

Analysis of Sawmill Residues at Celignis



Celignis Analytical can determine the following properties of Sawmill Residues samples:



Lignocellulosic Properties of Sawmill Residues

Cellulose Content of Sawmill Residues

The cellulose content of the residues will depend on what tree fractions they contain, and in what mass proportions. Sawdust will have a higher cellulose content than bark, for example.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Cellulose Content

Request a QuoteCellulose Content



Hemicellulose Content of Sawmill Residues

The hemicellulose content of the residues will depend on what tree fractions they contain, and in what mass proportions.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Hemicellulose Content

Request a QuoteHemicellulose Content



Lignin Content of Sawmill Residues

The lignin content of the residues will depend on what tree fractions they contain, and in what mass proportions. Bark, will have a higher lignin content than sawdust and wood chips, for example.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Lignin Content

Request a QuoteLignin Content



Starch Content of Sawmill Residues

The starch content of sawmill residues will depend on the type of wood being processed and the nature of the residues. For example, bark will have a much higher starch content than sawdust.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Starch Content

Request a QuoteStarch Content



Uronic Acid Content of Sawmill Residues

The uronic acid contents and compositions of the residues will depend on what tree types and fractions they contain, and in what mass proportions.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Uronic Acid Content

Request a QuoteUronic Acid Content



Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Sawmill Residues

We can undertake tests involving the enzymatic hydrolysis of Sawmill Residues. In these experiments we can either use a commercial enzyme mix or you can supply your own enzymes. We also offer analysis packages that compare the enzymatic hydrolysis of a pre-treated sample with that of the native original material.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Request a QuoteEnzymatic Hydrolysis



Bioenergy Properties of Sawmill Residues

Ash Content of Sawmill Residues

The ash content of the residues will depend on what tree fractions they contain, and in what mass proportions.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Ash Content

Request a QuoteAsh Content



Heating (Calorific) Value of Sawmill Residues

Sawmill residues can have a good moisture content and are often used within the mill for the generation of process heat/energy requirements.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Heating (Calorific) Value

Request a QuoteHeating (Calorific) Value



Ash Melting Behaviour of Sawmill Residues

Ash melting, also known as ash fusion and ash softening, can lead to slagging, fouling and corrosion in boilers which may reduce conversion efficiency. We can determine the ash melting behaviour of Sawmill Residues using our Carbolite CAF G5 BIO ash melting furnace. It can record the following temperatures:

Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (SST) - This occurs when the area of the test piece of Sawmill Residues ash falls below 95% of the original test piece area.

Ash Deformation Temperature (DT) - The temperature at which the first signs of rounding of the edges of the test piece occurs due to melting.

Ash Hemisphere Temperature (HT) - When the test piece of Sawmill Residues ash forms a hemisphere (i.e. the height becomes equal to half the base diameter).

Ash Flow Temperature (FT) - The temperature at which the Sawmill Residues ash is spread out over the supporting tile in a layer, the height of which is half of the test piece at the hemisphere temperature.



Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Ash Melting Behaviour

Request a QuoteAsh Melting Behaviour



Major and Minor Elements in Sawmill Residues

Examples of major elements that may be present in Sawmill Residues include potassium and sodium which are present in biomass ash in the forms of oxides. These can lead to fouling, ash deposition in the convective section of the boiler. Alkali chlorides can also lead to slagging, the fusion and sintering of ash particles which can lead to deposits on boiler tubes and walls.

We can also determine the levels of 13 different minor elements (such as arsenic, copper, and zinc) that may be present in Sawmill Residues.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Major and Minor Elements

Request a QuoteMajor and Minor Elements



Analysis of Sawmill Residues for Anaerobic Digestion



Biomethane potential (BMP) of Sawmill Residues

At Celignis we can provide you with crucial data on feedstock suitability for AD as well as on the composition of process residues. For example, we can determine the biomethane potential (BMP) of Sawmill Residues. The BMP can be considered to be the experimental theoretical maximum amount of methane produced from a feedstock. We moniotor the volume of biogas produced allowing for a cumulative plot over time, accessed via the Celignis Database. Our BMP packages also involve routine analysis of biogas composition (biomethane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, oxygen). We also provide detailed analysis of the digestate, the residue that remains after a sample has been digested. Our expertise in lignocellulosic analysis can allow for detailed insight regarding the fate of the different biogenic polymers during digestion.



Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine BMP

Request a QuoteBMP



Physical Properties of Sawmill Residues



Bulk Density of Sawmill Residues

At Celignis we can determine the bulk density of biomass samples, including Sawmill Residues, according to ISO standard 17828 (2015). This method requires the biomass to be in an appropriate form (chips or powder) for density determination.



Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Bulk Density

Request a QuoteBulk Density



Particle Size of Sawmill Residues

Our lab is equipped with a Retsch AS 400 sieve shaker. It can accommodate sieves of up to 40 cm diameter, corresponding to a surface area of 1256 square centimetres. This allows us to determine the particle size distribution of a range of samples, including Sawmill Residues, by following European Standard methods EN 15149- 1:2010 and EN 15149-2:2010.



Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Particle Size

Request a QuoteParticle Size





Examples of Other Feedstocks Analysed at Celignis



...