Bulk density is defined as the mass of many particles of a material divided by the total volume they occupy. This total volume will include the volume of the particles, the inter-particle void volume, and the internal pore volume. The bulk density is an important parameter for fuel deliveries on volume basis, and together with the net calorific value, it determines the energy density. It also facilitates the estimation of space requirements for transport and storage.

At Celignis we determine the bulk density of biomass according to ISO standard 17828 (2015). We use a 5 litre container (certified according to EN 10204-3.1) into which the biomass sample (powder, chips etc.) is poured from a fixed height. The container is then subjected to a defined shock exposure. This leads to a volume reduction through the settling of the material. The container is then refilled so that its whole volume is occupied and any surplus material beyond the boundary of the top of the container is removed by using a scantling. The filled container is then weighed and the weight of the container subtracted from this value to give the total weight of the biomass. The bulk density (kg/m3), on an as-received basis, is then calculated by dividing this weight by the internal volume of the container.

If you would like to determine the bulk density on a dry basis, please select an analysis package to determine the moisture content of the sample, and then we can use this to as a correction factor to be applied to the as-received bulk density.

Constituents Determined

For every constituent determined via wet-chemical analysis each sample is analysed in duplicate and we provide the compositional data for each replicate along with the average value and the standard deviation between the duplicates. Our analytical protocols typically provide results with a high level of precision, as detailed here.

Examples of the data reports generated can be viewed on the Celignis Database. Please log on to the guest account using email "test@celignis.com" and password "celignis".

Click here to place an order for determining Bulk Density.

Sample Weight Requirements

Under nornal conditions there is a minimum requirement of 500g of sample for this analysis package with a recommended weight of 1000+g of sample.

However, it may be possible for us to undertake the anaysis with lower quantities than the minimum specified above. Please email us at info@celignis.com to find out.