Background

Biomass refers to dry plant matter. Biomass is used as a feedstock in the pulp and paper industry as well as in the production of biofuels. Biomass is also an increasingly popular primary or secondary fuel at power plants and cement kilns. Ash consists of the metal oxides and heavier elements that remain after combustion removes the organic, gaseous and volatile components. Biomass combustion properties depend in part on the ash content, and prior to incineration chlorine levels must be at safe, low levels. EDXRF offers a fast and simple low cost method of measuring the chlorine content and predicting the % ash content, without the need for radioisotopes or long combustion analytical methods.