In recent years, the fuel industry has transitioned toward the production and use of eco-friendly biofuel blends as alternatives to fossil-derived fuels. Biofuels such as biodiesel and bio-ethanol are processed by photosynthetic plants that contain the radioactive isotope carbon-14. The detection limit of radiocarbon, or carbon-14, analysis is 50,000 years. Thus, fossil-derived components will not contain any carbon-14 content making carbon-14 analysis an accurate analytical technique for detecting the biogenic carbon content of biofuel blends.<br/> <br/>This presentation will focus on how carbon-14 testing is performed using an Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) instrument. Via this method, based on the ASTM D6866 standard, samples are converted into a solid graphite form for analysis. Results are calculated in the form of a percentage identifying the amount of biogenic carbon content present in a given sample. Carbon-14 testing is the most effective way to verify the amount of which the contents of a fuel sample are bio-derived.<br/> <br/>Many industry manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors recognize carbon-14 testing as a third-party verification tool to check the accuracy of biofuel blends. Carbon-14 testing is also often applied during the research and development phase of biofuel development in order to receive reliable data on its biogenic carbon content. Analysis is required by several industry regulations and initiatives such as the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard to determine the fraction of biogenic versus fossil sources of biofuel blends. Biofuel regulations promote the use of biofuels and offer opportunities for manufacturers to qualify for tax credits and other financial incentives if complying with the regulations. Overall, results from carbon-14 testing can be used to provide proof that manufacturers are complying with biogenic content requirements under program standards and regulations.

Carbon-14 analysis for biogenic carbon content determination of biofuels

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