Identifying key quality characteristics of woody biomass for bioenergy application: an international review

Biomass characteristics play an important role in product classification, economic values, and types of usage. This research was initiated by the IEA Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme, which aimed to review and identify the top biomass characteristics as they relate to commercially viable biomaterial and bioenergy processes. An online search (in English) was conducted using the following keywords: biomass, chips, quality, characteristics, moisture content, calorific values, contamination and ash content. The search was restricted to woody biomass and raw feedstock materials. Review results were classified based on regions including Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Each case study was described based on the study background, type of biomass and biomass attributes that were measured. The key biomass characteristic was moisture content that was consistently measured in almost all reports. Ash content and calorific value were classified as second place in terms of frequency in the biomass studies. Lower frequency belonged to the attributes such as bulk density, contamination, particle shape and nutrient (elemental) content. Detailed information of different case studies is provided in this report. It is anticipated that this literature review will assist IEA Bioenergy and its industrial and scientific network to better understand the current knowledge gaps regarding woody biomass characterisation.