Measurement of Biocarbon in Flue Gases Using ¹⁴C

Abstract

ABSTRACT.A preliminary investigation of the biocarbon fraction in carbon dioxide emissions of power plants using both fossil-and biobased fuels is presented. Calculation of the biocarbon fraction is based on radiocarbon content measured in power plant flue gases. Samples were collected directly from the chimneys into plastic sampling bags. The 14 C content in C0 2 was measured by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Flue gases from power plants that use natural gas, coal, wood chips, bark, plywood residue, sludge from the pulp factory, peat, and recovered fuel were measured. Among the selected plants, there was one that used only fossil fuel and one that used only biofuel; the other investigated plants burned mixtures of fuels. The results show that 14 C measurement provides the possibility to determine the ratio of bio and fossil fuel burned in power plants.

Studies of industrial emissions by accelerator-based techniques: A review of applications at CEDAD

“…More recently following the introduction of regulation promoting the use of bio-based carbon products and of renewable energy sources, new analytical methods based on AMS and radiocarbon have been developed for the assessment of the biogenic fraction in carbon based products (polymers, resins and plastic products) and in the waste-derived fuels used in WTE plants [13,14].…”

Biomass Carbon Ratio of Biomass Chemicals Measured by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry

“…In ASTM D 6866-08, a "liquid sample" means the benzene converted from the sample carbon by a synthesis procedure, and "gaseous sample" means the emission gas of carbon dioxide converted from the sample carbon and the flue gas from electric utility boilers. 13 For all the liquid and gaseous samples related to chemicals, an evaluation method of percent modern carbon is not regulated in ASTM D 6866-08. In order to evaluate the biomass carbon ratio of all the chemical products, we would like to propose an evaluation method widely applicable to the international standards of the biomass carbon ratio measurement.…”

“…If the standard regulates the apparatus, then other instruments cannot be used based on the standard. The measurement of the ratio of the three carbon isotopes ( 14 C, 13 C, and 12 C) using AMS was performed at the IAA. The AMS measurement procedure has already been reported in our previous studies.…”

“…C to 12 C for the sample and reference (SRM 4990c), respectively. The above method is the measurement procedure of ratios for the three carbon isotopes ( 14 C, 13 C, and 12 C) in the samples at the IAA. Formulas 1 to 3 with the correction factor of 0.93 are regulated in ASTM D 6866-08.…”

“…Formulas 1 to 3 with the correction factor of 0.93 are regulated in ASTM D 6866-08. At the same time, the correction of 14 A s using 13 C ratio to 14 C is also regulated in ASMT D 6866-08. However, this correction is not employed in this study.…”