Now that the heating season is approaching, the Energy and Biomass Project, financed by the EU, made recommendations for testing the quality of biofuel through instruments that are accessible to everyone. These recommendations are welcome also because Moldova does not yet have a lab for testing pellets and briquettes, IPN reports.
To determine the quality of pellets, it is recommended to put a small piece of pellet into a glass of water. The good pellets will keep the form during a longer period. If the pellet dissolves in the water immediately, its quality is doubtful. The pellets of a high quality are even and hard when touched. Those that break when touched contain more water and will be less efficient when burned. The pellets of a good quality leave at most 4% of ash after burning.
As to the quality of briquettes, it is also recommended leaving a briquette in the water for several minutes. A good briquette will sink and will dissolve longer. The briquettes with low density will float and will dissolve swiftly. If the briquettes break into pieces when dropped, these have a low density and a larger quantity of these will be needed for heating. The briquettes of a high quality leave at most 5% of ash after burning. If the ash is removed more often than once in four days, the quality of the fuel is questionable.
The caloric power of the biofuel and, respectively, its price, vary depending on the source of biomass from which it is produced. The biofuel produced from walnut shells, sunflower shells, sawdust and then straws has the greatest power.
Moldova does not yet have a lab for testing biofuel, though the certification of biofuel became mandatory this January. The authorities are now looking for solutions to set up the first lab for testing the quality of briquettes and pellets made in Moldova. The Energy and Biomass Project will purchase with European funds modern equipment for testing the quality of solid biofuel made in Moldova (briquettes and pellets). The equipment is to be bought by this yearend as a result of an international tender contest.
