EN 15170:2008
(Main)Characterization of sludges - Determination of calorific value
Characterization of sludges - Determination of calorific value
This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the gross calorific value of sludge at constant volume and at the reference temperature 25 °C in a bomb calorimeter calibrated by combustion of certified benzoic acid.
The result obtained is the gross calorific value of the sample at constant volume with both the water of the combustion products and the moisture of the sludge as liquid water. In practice, sludges are burned at constant (atmospheric) pressure and the water is not condensed but is removed as vapour with the flue gases. Under these conditions, the operative heat of combustion to be used is the net calorific value of the fuel at constant pressure. In this European Standard the net calorific value at constant volume is described as it requires less additional determinations.
This method is applicable to all kinds of sludges.
Charakterisierung von Schlämmen - Bestimmung des Brenn- und Heizwertes
Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Brennwertes für Schlamm bei konstantem Volumen und bei einer Referenztemperatur von 25 °C in einem Bombenkalorimeter fest, das durch die Ver-brennung zertifizierter Benzoesäure kalibriert wurde.
Das Prüfergebnis ist der Brennwert der Analysenprobe bei konstantem Volumen, bei dem sowohl das Wasser in den Verbrennungsprodukten als auch das im Schlamm enthaltene Wasser in flüssigem Zustand vorliegen. In der Praxis wird Schlamm bei konstantem (atmosphärischem) Druck verbrannt, wobei das Wasser nicht kondensiert, sondern als Wasserdampf zusammen mit den Abgasen abgeführt wird. Unter diesen Bedin¬gungen ist die zu berücksichtigende effektive Verbrennungswärme der Heizwert des Brennstoffs bei konstan¬tem Druck. In dieser Europäischen Norm wird der Heizwert bei konstantem Volumen beschrieben, da er einfacher zu bestimmen ist.
Das Verfahren ist auf alle Schlammarten anwendbar.
Caractérisation des boues - Détermination du pouvoir calorifique
La présente Norme européenne spécifie une méthode de détermination du pouvoir calorifique supérieur des
boues, à volume constant et à la température de référence de 25 °C dans une bombe calorimétrique
étalonnée par combustion d’acide benzoïque certifié.
Le résultat obtenu est le pouvoir calorifique supérieur de l’échantillon à volume constant, l’eau des produits de
combustion et l’humidité des boues étant à l’état liquide. Dans la pratique, les boues sont brûlées à pression
(atmosphérique) constante et l’eau n’est pas condensée mais retirée sous forme de vapeur avec les produits
de combustion. Dans ces conditions, la chaleur effective de la combustion à utiliser est le pouvoir calorifique
inférieur du combustible, à pression constante. La présente Norme européenne décrit le pouvoir calorifique
inférieur à volume constant, car cela nécessite moins de déterminations supplémentaires.
La présente méthode s’applique à tous les types de boues.
Karakterizacija blata - Določevanje kalorične vrednosti
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 11-Nov-2008
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-May-2009
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 308 - Characterization of sludges
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 308/WG 1 - Characterization methods
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 03-Dec-2023
- Completion Date
- 14-Apr-2025
Overview - EN 15170:2008 (Characterization of sludges - Determination of calorific value)
EN 15170:2008 is a CEN European Standard that specifies a laboratory method to determine the gross calorific value of sludges using a bomb calorimeter. Measurements are performed at constant volume and referenced to 25 °C. Calibration is carried out by combustion of certified benzoic acid. The standard reports the gross calorific value with combustion and sludge moisture considered as liquid water; a calculated net calorific value (at constant volume) can be derived from additional data (hydrogen and moisture content). The method is applicable to all kinds of sludges and is intended to support assessment for thermal treatment and energy recovery.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Measurement principle: Combustion of a weighed sludge sample in a high‑pressure oxygen bomb calorimeter; corrected temperature rise and calibrated effective heat capacity yield gross calorific value.
- Calibration: Use of calorimetric‑standard benzoic acid with traceable certification.
- Reference conditions: Constant volume, reference temperature 25 °C; oxygen purity ≥ 99.5% and bomb filling to about 3 MPa.
- Apparatus & accuracy: Calorimeter with thermostat, stirrer, thermometer with resolution ~0.001 K (short‑term repeatability 0.001 K), balances with 0.1 mg (0.01 mg recommended for very small samples), crucibles, and pressure control (relief at ~3.5 MPa).
- Corrections and calculations: Allowances for ignition energy, fuse combustion, formation of acids (sulfuric acid correction), and conversion from gross to net calorific values using hydrogen and moisture data.
- Scope limitations: Gross calorific value represents heat with water condensed; practical combustion at atmospheric pressure uses net calorific value (water as vapor), so calculation steps are needed to obtain operative heating value.
Applications and users
EN 15170 is used by:
- Environmental and analytical laboratories performing sludge characterization.
- Wastewater treatment operators assessing sludge suitability for incineration, co‑combustion or energy recovery.
- Engineers and consultants designing thermal sludge treatment and energy-from-waste systems.
- Regulatory bodies and auditors verifying fuel value data for mass‑balance and permitting. Practical benefits include reliable comparison of sludge fuels, feedstock evaluation for thermal processes, and data to support feasibility studies for sludge-to-energy projects.
Related standards
- EN 12832 (sludge vocabulary)
- EN 12880 (dry residue and water content)
- EN ISO 16720 (sample pretreatment)
- ISO 651 / 652 / 1770 / 1771 (thermometers)
- ISO/TS 12902, ISO 1928, CEN/TS 14918 (additional calorimetric and fuel calculation methods)
Keywords: EN 15170, sludge calorific value, bomb calorimeter, gross calorific value, net calorific value, benzoic acid calibration, sludge characterization, sludge-to-energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 15170:2008 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Characterization of sludges - Determination of calorific value". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the gross calorific value of sludge at constant volume and at the reference temperature 25 °C in a bomb calorimeter calibrated by combustion of certified benzoic acid. The result obtained is the gross calorific value of the sample at constant volume with both the water of the combustion products and the moisture of the sludge as liquid water. In practice, sludges are burned at constant (atmospheric) pressure and the water is not condensed but is removed as vapour with the flue gases. Under these conditions, the operative heat of combustion to be used is the net calorific value of the fuel at constant pressure. In this European Standard the net calorific value at constant volume is described as it requires less additional determinations. This method is applicable to all kinds of sludges.
This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the gross calorific value of sludge at constant volume and at the reference temperature 25 °C in a bomb calorimeter calibrated by combustion of certified benzoic acid. The result obtained is the gross calorific value of the sample at constant volume with both the water of the combustion products and the moisture of the sludge as liquid water. In practice, sludges are burned at constant (atmospheric) pressure and the water is not condensed but is removed as vapour with the flue gases. Under these conditions, the operative heat of combustion to be used is the net calorific value of the fuel at constant pressure. In this European Standard the net calorific value at constant volume is described as it requires less additional determinations. This method is applicable to all kinds of sludges.
EN 15170:2008 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.030.40 - Installations and equipment for waste disposal and treatment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 15170:2008 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 89/369/EEC. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
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Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Charakterisierung von Schlämmen - Bestimmung des Brenn- und HeizwertesCaractérisation des boues - Détermination du pouvoir calorifiqueCharacterization of sludges - Determination of calorific value13.030.20Liquid wastes. SludgeICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15170:2008SIST EN 15170:2009en,fr,de01-maj-2009SIST EN 15170:2009SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARDNORME EUROPÉENNEEUROPÄISCHE NORMEN 15170November 2008ICS 13.030.40 English VersionCharacterization of sludges - Determination of calorific valueCaractérisation des boues - Détermination du pouvoircalorifiqueCharakterisierung von Schlämmen - Bestimmung desBrenn- und HeizwertesThis European Standard was approved by CEN on 11 October 2008.CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this EuropeanStandard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such nationalstandards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translationunder the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as theofficial versions.CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATIONCOMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIONEUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNGManagement Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels© 2008 CENAll rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reservedworldwide for CEN national Members.Ref. No. EN 15170:2008: ESIST EN 15170:2009
Example of a calorimeter.18 Annex B (informative)
Temperature evolution.19 Annex C (informative)
Results of the interlaboratory comparison.20 Bibliography.21
...
제목: EN 15170:2008 - 슬러지 특성화 - 발열량 측정 내용: 이 유럽 표준은 슬러지의 총 발열량을 결정하기 위한 방법을 명시하고 있다. 이 방법은 인증된 벤조익산을 연소하여 굽은 발열량계에서 상수 부피 및 기준 온도인 25°C에서 슬러지의 총 발열량을 결정할 수 있는 것을 규정한다. 얻어진 결과는 샘플의 상수 부체적 발열량인데, 연소 생성물의 수분과 슬러지의 수분을 액상 물로 포함한다. 실제로, 슬러지는 상수(대기) 압력에서 연소되며, 물은 응결되지 않고 배기 가스와 함께 증기로 방출된다. 이러한 조건에서 사용되는 연소 열은 상수 압력에서의 연료의 순 발열량이다. 이 유럽 표준에서는 추가적인 결정이 적게 필요한 상수 부체적 순 발열량을 기술한다. 이 방법은 모든 종류의 슬러지에 적용할 수 있다.
記事タイトル: EN 15170:2008 - スラッジの特性評価 - 発熱量の決定法 記事内容: このヨーロッパ標準は、スラッジの総発熱量を決定するための方法を規定しています。この方法は、認定された安息香酸を燃焼させることで、定積および基準温度25℃でのスラッジの総発熱量を測定するボムカロリメーターを用いることを含みます。得られる結果は、試料の定積発熱量であり、燃焼生成物中の水分とスラッジの水分を液体水として含んでいます。実際には、スラッジは定常（大気）圧力で燃焼され、水分は凝縮されず、排気ガスと一緒に蒸気として排出されます。この条件下では、使用される燃焼熱は定圧での燃料の熱量である純発熱量です。このヨーロッパ標準では、追加の判定が少なくて済む定積式の純発熱量が説明されています。この方法は、あらゆる種類のスラッジに適用できます。
記事タイトル：EN 15170:2008 -スラッジの特性評価-発熱量の測定 記事内容：この欧州標準は、認定された安息香酸の燃焼によって較正された爆発熱量計を使用して、スラッジの体積一定および基準温度25℃における総発熱量を測定する方法を規定しています。 得られた結果は、スラッジの試料の体積一定における総発熱量であり、燃焼生成物の水とスラッジの水分を液体水として考慮しています。実際には、スラッジは一定の（大気）圧力で燃焼され、水は凝縮されず、煙突ガスとともに蒸気として除去されます。これらの条件下では、運用の燃焼熱量としては一定圧力下の燃料の正味発熱量が使用されます。ただし、この欧州標準では、追加の測定が少なくて済む体積一定での正味発熱量が説明されています。 この方法は、あらゆる種類のスラッジに適用可能です。
기사 제목: EN 15170:2008 - 슬러지의 특성화 - 발열량 결정 기사 내용: 이 유럽 표준은 인증된 벤조산의 연소로 교정된 폭발열량계를 사용하여 25°C 기준 온도에서 슬러지의 정수용적과 국부적인 발열량을 결정하는 방법에 대해 규정합니다. 얻은 결과는 슬러지의 샘플의 정수용적에서의 총 발열량으로, 연소 생성물의 수분과 슬러지의 수분을 액상으로 처리합니다. 실제로 슬러지는 일정한 (대기) 압력에서 태워지며, 물은 응축되지 않고 연기와 함께 제거됩니다. 이러한 조건에서는 연소로의 운영 발열량으로 압력이 일정한 연료의 순수 발열량을 사용해야 합니다. 이 유럽 표준에는 추가적인 결정이 적게 필요하므로, 용적이 일정한 순수 발열량이 설명되어 있습니다. 이 방법은 모든 종류의 슬러지에 적용될 수 있습니다.
The article discusses the European Standard EN 15170:2008, which focuses on the determination of the calorific value of sludge. The standard specifies a method for calculating the gross calorific value of sludge at a constant volume and at a reference temperature of 25 °C. This is done using a bomb calorimeter that has been calibrated using certified benzoic acid. The result obtained from this method provides the gross calorific value of the sludge sample with both the water from the combustion products and the moisture of the sludge considered as liquid water. In practice, sludges are typically burned at a constant (atmospheric) pressure and the water is not condensed but removed as vapor along with the flue gases. Under these conditions, the net calorific value of the fuel at constant pressure is used as the operative heat of combustion. However, the European Standard focuses on the net calorific value at constant volume as it requires fewer additional determinations. This method can be applied to various types of sludges.
The article discusses European Standard EN 15170:2008, which specifies a method for determining the gross calorific value of sludge. The calorific value is the amount of heat released when the sludge is burned. The method involves using a bomb calorimeter calibrated with benzoic acid to measure the calorific value at a constant volume and temperature of 25°C. The result obtained includes the water in the combustion products and the moisture in the sludge. Typically, sludges are burned at atmospheric pressure, and the water is not condensed but released as vapor with the flue gases. In this case, the net calorific value at constant pressure is used, which is the heat of combustion minus the heat used to vaporize the water. This European Standard describes the net calorific value at constant volume, as it requires fewer additional determinations. The method is applicable to all types of sludges.
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