Self-heating properties of softwood samples investigated by using isothermal calorimetry

The investigation focused on obtaining experimental results from the self-heating properties of different softwood samples during lab-scale storage. The samples investigated were a mixture of dried soft wood sawdust, softwood pellets 8 mm in diameter, and aged softwood sawdust stored outdoors for three months. Isothermal calorimetry was used to measure the heat released from the biomass samples and assess the contribution to self-heating during storage. Softwood samples were stored at 20 °C, 50 °C, 55 °C and 60 °C, and the metals manganese, copper and iron were added as a water solution to investigate if the presence of metals would increase the risk of self-heating. For most sample series, the highest levels of heat release were found after approximately 10 days of storage; sample series stored at 50 °C displayed the highest levels. The addition of copper resulted in levels of heat release 135% higher than samples without metal added.