AMS-¹⁴C Determination of the Biogenic-Fossil Fractions in Flue Gases

Abstract

The determination of the proportion between the biogenic and the fossil-derived fraction in carbon dioxide emissions from industrial stationary sources is a relevant aspect in the frame of the worldwide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. In this field the 14C-based method has gained importance over the years and has been included in standard protocols accepted at both the national and international levels. The advantages of the method, based on the large difference in terms of 14C signature between fossil and biogenic carbon, are reviewed as well as some critical aspects related to its application. In particular the results of a study aimed at validating the method by analyzing synthetic gas mixtures produced in a dedicated plant and with a tuneable proportion between fossil and biogenic carbon dioxide are presented.

Accuracy Improvement of the 14C Method Applied in Biomass and Coal Co-Firing Power Stations

“…The f biomass results of the two methods were consistent. The simulated co-firing flue gas testing of Quarta et al [6] and the oxygen bomb co-firing experiments of Tang et al [7] have confirmed that the samples of 14 C activity test technology are accurate to contribute little error to the final results of biomass blending ratio. The research results of Palstra et al [8] provided a method to eliminate the influence of air CO 2 during flue gas sampling and subsequent preparation.…”

Radiocarbon dating

“…Routine analyses are now performed on polymers 311 , bio-fuels 312,313 , synthetic gases 314 as well as flue gases from industrial sources 315,316 . Radiocarbon dating using both beta-counting 317 and AMS 314 techniques is now included in different international protocols such as those of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 318 and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 319 .…”

Determination of biomass-coal blending ratio by 14C measurement in co-firing flue gas

“…ASTM (2016) recommends three methods for sample preparation and measurement of 14 C activity: accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), CO 2 absorption amine, and benzene synthesis. AMS technology, the most accurate and expensive method, generally tests the graphite converted from the sample and obtains the absolute amounts of 14 C (Quarta et al, 2018). The benzene synthesis method can achieve accuracy close to that of AMS and liquid scintillation counter (LSC) is more cost-effective for the measurement of samples.…”