How Cement Plants Measure Biogenic CO2 Emissions
In a recent article in Global Cement Magazine, Beta Analytic marketing specialist Haley Gershon describes how carbon-14 testing can help cement plants reduce their greenhouse gas inventories by measuring their biogenic, carbon-neutral carbon dioxide emissions.
Biomass has a known amount of carbon-14. By measuring the carbon-14 content of a CO2 sample, the exact percentage of the gas that is biomass-derived can be determined. Carbon-14 testing is particularly useful for cement plants using alternative fuels, which are mixtures of biomass (e.g. paper, wood) and fossil inputs (e.g. plastics, petrochemical-derived surfactants). Examples of alternative fuels include refuse-derived fuels, municipal solid waste, sewage sludge and used tires.
Carbon-14 testing is done using standardized methods ASTM D6866 or EN 15440 (superseded by BS EN ISO 21644:2021). Results are reported as % biogenic carbon content or % biogenic CO2. If carbon-14 analysis indicates that a stack gas sample is 65% biogenic CO2, this means that 65% of the gas is derived from biomass and 35% is fossil-based.
For more information, please read Beta Analytic’s article “14C Testing for the cement sector” found on page 32 of Global Cement Magazine’s May 2019 issue.
Fast ASTM D6866, BS EN ISO 21644 Testing
Based in Miami, Florida, ISO 17025-accredited Beta Analytic helps cement plants comply with greenhouse gas regulations by providing fast, highly accurate ASTM D6866 and BS EN ISO 21644 testing for various alternative fuels and their combustion emissions.
For inquiries, please contact the lab using this form or call (+) 305-662-7760.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 and is filed under Beta Analytic Updates, Renewable Carbon .