EN ISO 18122:2022

• Abstract:

  This document specifies a method for the determination of ash content of all solid biofuels.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 15-Nov-2022
• ICS: 27.190 - Biological sources and alternative sources of energy
• ICS: 75.160.40 - Biofuels
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 335 - Solid biofuels
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 335 - Solid biofuels
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 16-Nov-2022
• Completion Date: 16-Nov-2022
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 18122:2023 - Solid biofuels - Determination of ash content (ISO 18122:2022)

• Replaces: EN ISO 18122:2015 - Solid biofuels - Determination of ash content (ISO 18122:2015)
• Effective Date: 23-Nov-2022
• Refers: ISO 16559:2022 - Solid biofuels — Vocabulary
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 18135:2017 - Solid Biofuels — Sampling
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 21945:2020 - Solid biofuels — Simplified sampling method for small scale applications
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 18134-3:2015 - Solid biofuels — Determination of moisture content — Oven dry method — Part 3: Moisture in general analysis sample
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: ISO 14780:2017 - Solid biofuels — Sample preparation
• Effective Date: 09-Feb-2026
• Refers: EN 13852-1:2025 - Cranes - Offshore cranes - Part 1: General-purpose offshore cranes
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 4037-4:2021 - Radiological protection - X and gamma reference radiation for calibrating dosemeters and doserate meters and for determining their response as a function of photon energy - Part 4: Calibration of area and personal dosemeters in low energy X reference radiation fields (ISO 4037-4:2019)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 477:2018 - Plastics - Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based profiles - Determination of the resistance to impact of profiles by falling mass
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 14961-1:2010 - Solid biofuels - Fuel specifications and classes - Part 1: General requirements
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 15290:2011 - Solid biofuels - Determination of major elements - Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, P, K, Si, Na and Ti
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 14961-3:2011 - Solid biofuels - Fuel specifications and classes - Part 3: Wood briquettes for non-industrial use
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 14961-2:2011 - Solid biofuels - Fuel specifications and classes - Part 2: Wood pellets for non-industrial use
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 14961-6:2012 - Solid biofuels - Fuel specifications and classes - Part 6: Non-woody pellets for non-industrial use
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 14961-4:2011 - Solid biofuels - Fuel specifications and classes - Part 4: Wood chips for non-industrial use
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN ISO 18122:2022 - Solid biofuels: Determination of ash content is the CEN-adopted version of ISO 18122:2022. It specifies a standardized gravimetric method to determine the ash content of all solid biofuels. The method defines sample preparation, furnace conditions, apparatus and calculation steps so results are comparable across laboratories, suppliers and regulatory bodies.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Method applicable to all solid biofuels for reporting ash as the mass of residue after controlled combustion.
• Principle: Heat a defined test portion in air under controlled time, temperature and atmosphere; weigh residue to calculate ash content.
• Standard final temperature:550 ± 10 °C is the reference. Alternative final temperatures (e.g., 710 °C, 815 °C) may be used if explicitly stated, but provided repeatability/reproducibility limits do not apply to those alternatives.
• Apparatus requirements:
  • Dish of inert material (porcelain, silica or platinum) sized so test portion loading does not exceed 0.1 g/cm of bottom area.
  • Furnace with uniform heating and sufficient air exchange to remove decomposition gases (SO2, CO2) during ashing.
  • Analytical balance capable of reading to 0.1 mg.
  • Desiccator with controlled desiccant (ash is very hygroscopic - lids recommended and desiccant must be monitored/dried).
• Sample preparation and conditioning: Laboratory sample and general analysis sample prepared per ISO sampling/sample-prep requirements; nominal particle top size ≤ 1 mm. Ash testing can be performed directly on the general analysis sample or on a dried test portion with concurrent moisture determination (ISO 18134-3).
• Automatic equipment: Permitted if validated with appropriate biomass reference materials and meeting method constraints for sample size, heating profile, atmosphere and weighing.
• Performance data: Clause 9 provides repeatability and reproducibility figures; this edition updated those data and gives more detailed furnace and ashing procedure descriptions.

Applications - who uses this standard

• Testing laboratories performing quality control and certification of solid biofuels.
• Bioenergy producers and fuel suppliers for contract verification and inventory reporting.
• Combustion equipment manufacturers and operators to assess ash-related risks (slagging, corrosion) and design maintenance schedules.
• Regulators and procurement teams setting fuel specifications and environmental compliance.
• Researchers studying biomass combustion and ash behaviour.

Related standards

• ISO 14780 (sample preparation)
• ISO 16559 (vocabulary)
• ISO 18134‑3 (moisture - oven dry method)
• ISO 18135, ISO 21945 (sampling)
• ISO 1171 (coal ash preparation - referenced for air exchange guidance)

Keywords: EN ISO 18122:2022, ash content determination, solid biofuels, ashing procedure, biofuel testing, furnace conditions, sample preparation, repeatability reproducibility.