BIOGAS AND SMOKE
Biogas is an integral part of biofuel development, and analysis of flue gas is involved in establishing the carbon footprint of industrialists.
These gaseous materials may contain a non-negligible biogenic component that will be important to quantify in order to deduct it from a company’s carbon footprint.
Radiocarbon analysis of stack smoke
Depending on the fuel burned, the stack gases will contain more or less biogenic CO2. CIRAM laboratories analyze the CO2 in the stack gases by the radiocarbon method following ASTM D6866. From the measurement of the carbon-14 concentration, CIRAM will determine the percentage of biobased carbon compared to fossil-based carbon.
Materials containing biogenic carbon (rich in carbon-14) correspond to wood, paper and biomass of animal or plant origin. Materials containing fossil carbon (low in carbon-14) correspond to coal and oil.
The measurement can be done directly on a smoke sample that will have been collected at the chimney outlet. These are specific bags for on-site CO2 collection. Fine particles present on filters installed on industrial stacks can also be collected.
The radiocarbon analysis of biogas
The CIRAM laboratories measure with radiocarbon your fuel samples in general, and biogas in particular to define the percentage of biobased material they contain. Carbon 14 analysis is possible on gas, but also on liquids and solids. CIRAM complies with the ASTM D6866 standard for the study of your biogas, in order to provide you with a reliable and accurate expertise.
The ASTM D6866 standard is a reference in the analysis of your biofuels by the carbon 14 technique. Our engineers interpret the results in the laboratory before providing complete results within 10 working days maximum.
The CIRAM analysis dedicated to biobased materials
In the field of biobased product analysis, the field of expertise of CIRAM laboratories is vast. From analysis of biobased carbon content using the carbon-14 method, to provenance studies using stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen, to DNA sequencing (partnership with DNA Gensee), CIRAM’s teams offer a comprehensive package that addresses most of your analytical issues.
For more information on our radiocarbon and stable isotope analyses, contact us. Our scientists will adapt the studies to your requirements and problems.
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