Currently, the global fuel industry continues to experience a growing trend in favor of the production and use of biomass-based alternatives to fossil fuels as interest in renewable-sourced products drives consumer behaviors and governmental regulations. Bioethanol in particular is experiencing significant product growth among transportation fuels, followed closely by biodiesel.1 In order to ensure biofuel formulations are evolving toward sustainability goals, and so industry professionals can continue to monitor compliance with ever-developing regulations, a reliable third-party verification tool for measuring the biomass-derived – or biogenic – content of biofuel formulations and blends is vital. One such tool is ASTM D6866 standardized biogenic carbon content testing via carbon-14 (or radiocarbon) analysis. Carbon-14 testing is applicable to biofuels, municipal solid waste (MSW) and other renewable fuels.Radiocarbon Analysis: Not Just For Archaeologists&nbsp; The term “biogenic” defines a product or material that contains organic or inorganic carbon from renewable sources such as plants, animals, agricultural materials and other forms of biomass. Biogenic content testing harnesses the scientific methodology of carbon-14 analysis, also known as radiocarbon, based on the ASTM D6866 test method.2 Although this method may come to mind as the wheelhouse of archaeologists and geologists for dating artifacts and soils, carbon-14 has a number of applications beyond the scientific realms it’s most known for.&nbsp;Carbon-14 analysis is applicable to various samples such as biofuels. Biomass-derived fuels, such as bioethanol and biodiesel, are processed from plants, animals and other sources that contain the radioactive isotope carbon-14. Over the course of the life cycle of the plant or animal, carbon dioxide is exchanged with the atmosphere via photosynthesis and the food chain. Carbon-14 is concentrated within the atmosphere at known levels, allowing it to be precisely measured and keeping it in balance in biomass. When the biomass is harvested or otherwise ceases interaction with the atmosphere, the remaining carbon-14 begins the process of radioactive decay. The detection limit of carbon-14 analysis is approximately 43,500 years and, once complete, a material will no longer contain carbon–14.3 Thus, the carbon-14 method is an ideal and highly accurate tool for verifying biogenic content as fossil-derived fuel sources will not contain any carbon-14.4&nbsp;Analysis is performed using an Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) instrument. Results yield a percentage of biogenic content representing the fraction of biomass-derived and fossil-fuel derived carbon present in the sample. A sample that is wholly formulated from biomass will result in 100% biogenic content, whereas a traditional fossil fuel will have 0% biogenic content. Measurements of mixtures formulated with a fraction of biomass can also be accurately obtained.Carbon-14 testing is a well-trusted verification method for fuel industry producers, distillers and plant personnel to measure the biogenic carbon content of biofuel blends. It is often applied during the research and development phases of biofuel formulation to obtain reliable data regarding the biogenic carbon content of a fuel mixture to ensure goals are being met. Refineries can also benefit from the precision of carbon-14 analysis for determining the ratio of their biofuel blends that originate from bio-oil as opposed to petroleum feedstocks. Furthermore, one primary use of biogenic testing results is for monitoring carbon intensity reduction and regulatory compliance.Reducing Carbon Intensity and Regulatory Compliance&nbsp;&nbsp; Biogenic carbon testing via the ASTM D6866 method is required by several industry regulations and recommended by others. Compliance allows manufacturers to stay up to date with current regulations and certifications, as well as to qualify for tax or carbon credits as an incentive for carbon intensity reduction. Testing is applicable to a number of mandatory regulations worldwide.The U.S. EPA Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires ASTM D6866 testing for certain fuels, such as municipal solid waste (MSW) and co-processing fuels, and allows producers to generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs).5 In the state of California, the Air Resources Board Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) requires or recommends ASTM D6866 testing for fuels produced by co-processing and MSW. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Clean Fuels Program (CFP) also requires testing for fuels derived from MSW and co-processing.6 Similarly, Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulation (CFR) program requires ASTM D6866 testing for fuels produced by co-processing and their co-products.&nbsp;Beyond North America, several European standards also call for ASTM D6866 testing including the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)’s Standard for Advanced Fuels, the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), and the Dutch Emissions Authority’s Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) Regulation.Overall, biogenic content testing using the ASTM D6866 carbon-14 method is an accurate third-party verification tool for biofuel formulations and blends. Such a tool is a key resource as efforts toward sustainability continue to progress in future decades. Results provide vital data that can be used for research and development, and to aid in meeting carbon neutrality milestones and goals. Additionally, these results are often required by programs and mandatory regulations to confirm compliance and qualify for tax incentives. Author: Jordan Turner, Beta Analytic&nbsp; www.betalabservices.com&nbsp; info@betalabservices.com1. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/biofuels-market&nbsp; 2. https://www.betalabservices.com/biofuels/astm-d6866.html&nbsp; 3. https://www.betalabservices.com/radiocarbon-ams-dating.html&nbsp; 4. https://www.betalabservices.com/biofuels.html&nbsp; 5. https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/overview-renewable-fuel-standard&nbsp; 6. https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/cfp/Pages/CFP-Overview.aspx

2024-06-04 - Evaluating Carbon Content (Ethanol Producer Magazine)

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The use of carbon-14 analysis for measuring the biogenic carbon content of biomass-derived fuels. 

Evaluating Carbon Content

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