DOE OSTI · 2573890
Component Identification of Solid Biomass Fuels Using Reflected Light Microscopy: Interlaboratory Study 2
Abstract
As nations transition toward sustainable energy systems, biomass has become a vital component of global energy portfolios. Derived from organic materials such as wood, agricultural residues, forestry byproducts, and organic waste, biomass is a renewable energy source with significant environmental and economic benefits. Responsible biomass energy production can improve waste management, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and mitigate environmental pollution. However, as the diversity of biomass-derived fuels increases, robust quality assessment methods are essential to ensure their efficiency, safety, and minimal environmental impact. Reflected light microscopy (RLM) is one such technique with the potential to complement conventional physico-chemical analyses by enabling a rapid identification of material constituents and impurities. To refine this methodology and evaluate the reproducibility of solid biomass component identification using RLM, an interlaboratory study (ILS) was conducted. The study involved the recognition of 58 components across 45 photomicrographs, with the participation of 65 scientists and students from 25 countries. The participants faced high difficulty identifying some of the marked components, and as a result, the percentage of correct answers ranged from 19.0 % to 98.3 %, with an average correct identification rate of 62.7 %. The most challenging aspects of the identification process included distinguishing between woody and non-woody (agro) biomass, accurately identifying petroleum-derived materials, and differentiating agro biomass from inorganic matter. The results suggest that while RLM is an important tool for characterizing solid biomass, further development of methodology guidelines and training are necessary to enhance its effectiveness. Future research should prioritize preparing detailed, image-rich, microscopic morphological descriptions of biomass fuel components, which could improve the accuracy and reliability of using RLM in biomass fuel characterization.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Drobniak, Agnieszka [Indiana University Bloomington; University of Silesia], Mastalerz, Maria [Indiana University Bloomington; University of Silesia], Jelonek, Zbigniew [University of Silesia], Jelonek, Iwona [University of Silesia], Acda, Menandro [University of the Philippines Los Banos], Adsul, Tushar [Indian Institute of Technology Bombay], Andolsek, Neza [Geological Survey of Slovenia], Animali, Lorenzo [Roma Tre University], Ardakani, Omid [Geological Survey of Canada], Ataide, Telma [TAS Petrographic Consulting & Auditing], Batbold, Demberelsuren [Mongolian Mining Corporation], Bhat, Mohd [Pondicherry University], Congo, Tara [Royal Institute of Technology], Donohoe, Bryon [National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)] (ORCID:0000000222725059), Ehinola, Olugbenga [University of Ibadan], Flores, Deolinda [University of Porto], Fonseca, Carolina [Federal University of Rio de Janeiro], Ghosh, Santanu [Mizoram University], Goncalves, Paula [University of Porto], Hackley, Paul [United States Department of the Interior], Hower, James [University of Kentucky], Jargal, Luvsanchultem [National University of Mongolia], Johnston, Michelle [United States Department of the Interior], Kalatzidis, Stavros [University of Patras], Kedzior, Stawomir [University of Silesia], Knowles, Wayne [Stratum Reservoir], Kumar, Susheel [Jawaharlal Nehru University], Kus, Jolanta [Federal Institute for Geosciences & Natural Resources], Lis, Grzegorz [University of Wroclaw], Lis, Kacper [University of Wroclaw], Liu, Bei [Indiana University Bloomington], Liu, Bangjun [Hebei University of Engineering], Luo, Qingyong [China University of Petroleum, Beijing], Du, Meili [Xi'an University of Science & Technology], Mencarelli, Alessio [University of Padua], Mishra, Divya [Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences], Misz-Kennan, Magdalena [University of Silesia], Mitillo, Nicola [Roma Tre University], Muzyka, Roksana [Silesian University of Technology], Nedzweckas, Jennifer [United States Department of the Interior], O'Keefe, Jennifer [Morehead State University], Omodeo-Sale, Silvia [University of Geneva], Oyunjargal, Luvsannyam [National University of Mongolia], Park, Jackie [Pearson Coal Petrography], Patria, Aulia [Universitas Gadjah Mada], Pearson, Richard [Pearson Coal Petrography], Petersen, Henrik [Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland], Predeanu, Georgeta [Politehnica University of Bucharest], Ranjin, Ganzorig [Energy Resources LLC], Reyes, Julito [Geological Survey of Canada], Ribeiro, Joana [University of Coimbra], Rodriguez, Genaro [Autonomous University of Coahuila], Rudra, Arka [Aarhus University], Sajdak, Marcin [Silesian University of Technology], Sanders, Margaret [United States Department of the Interior], Siavalas, George [Shell], Sosnowski, Piotr [JSW Group], Varma, Atul [Indian Institute of Petroleum; Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad], Wojtaszek-Kalaitzidi, Malgorzata [Institute of Energy & Fuel Processing Technology], Wolszczak, Mateusz [Charles University], Xu, Zhanjie [Tianjin University], Zdravkov, Alexander [University of Mining and Geology "Saint Ivan Rilski"], Zhao, Lei [China University of Mining & Technology], Zielinska, Magdalena [University of Silesia], Ziemianin, Konrad [Oil & Gas Institute - National Research Institute]. 2025-05-28. Component Identification of Solid Biomass Fuels Using Reflected Light Microscopy: Interlaboratory Study 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2025.104814
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.