Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Pat Patodia
Beta Analytic Inc.

November 21-23, 2011

2011 Pacific Rim Summit
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Overview
Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in certification of Biobased products Applications of ASTM D6866

Background of Beta Analytic

Conclusion

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

What is Biobased ?

Premise: Use less petroleum

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

US Department of Agricultures definition:

Renewably Sourced Carbon Total Organic Carbon

ASTM-D6866 results are to be consistent with this definition Mass of component is factored out

A single value is applicable across industries

Carbonates of natural mineral origin are to be excluded

Carbon-14
Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Naturally occurring in all biomass, absent in fossil fuels

ASTM D6866 measures it.

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Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Carbon-14 is ubiquitous in all living things. But it doesnt stick around. It slowly and gradually decays away after death, so that by 50,000 years theres none left.

Coal and fossil-derived materials do not have any carbon-14 whereas biomass does.

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Take a good look, Identical?

Carbon-14

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Biomass CO2
Fossil Fuel CO2
No Carbon-14

Theyre NOT the same!

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The Radiocarbon Cycle

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

STEP 1: Ongoing formation and decay of radiocarbon within the atmosphere

Nitrogen ( 14N ) + cosmic neutrons Radiocarbon immediately oxidizes Radiocarbon (14C) Carbon dioxide (14CO2)

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification

The radiocarbon immediately starts to decay (T1/2 = 5730 years)

14N

+n

14C

Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Constant amount of radiocarbon

14C

Decay

in the atmosphere as CO2

14CO 2

STEP 2: Radiocarbon is removed from the atmosphere by plants STEP 3: Disequilibrium begins upon death
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Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

If it were 50 % corn-based & 50% petroleum derived

If it were 100% petroleum derived

50,000 yrs
Regardless of the percentage of total carbon in the product
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Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

ASTM-D6866 is a standardization of radiocarbon dating methods used by archaeologists to determine the age of fossils.

Methods that have been in use for 60 years (mature technology)

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and being a mature industry . . .

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Expertise Laboratories

Well-known sources of error

Supply Lines Venders

Instrumentation
Raw materials Complete pre-existing infrastructure

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USDA BioPreferred Program

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Federal Procurement
Program began in 2005 Mandatory purchasing of biobased products by government agencies Biobased minimums enforced for each product category ASTM D6866 used to determine if products meet minimums

More information: www.biopreferred.gov

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USDA BioPreferred Program

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

BioPreferred Voluntary Labeling Program

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Began February 2011 Consumer product label Minimum biobased content 25%
(Not BioPreferred procurement products)

Biobased % listed on label ASTM D6866 used to determine percentage

More information: www.biopreferred.gov

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Other Product Certification Programs

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Vinotte OK Biobased (Belgium)

Eco-label which indicates a products biobased content the more stars in the logo, the higher biobased content.
Products must be at least 20% biobased according to ASTM D6866 results to obtain the OK Biobased logo

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Japan BioPlastics Association BiomassPla

BiomassPla certification and labeling system certifies biomass-based plastic products.
Plastic products must contain biomass-derived components measured using ASTM D6866 to qualify.

EcoLogo (Canada)
Program certifies a broad range of commercial products.
Standard for hand sanitizers CCD-170 requires biobased content testing via ASTM D6866.

Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative

Released a list of purchasing specifications called BioSpecs.
Food service ware must be at least be 95% biobased according to ASTM D6866 to qualify for a rating.

ICC Evaluation Service, Inc.

Issued a guideline outlining the requirements for obtaining an ICC-ES Verification of Attributes Report.
The Evaluation Building materials are recommended to have ASTM D6866 measurements.

Green Electronics Council EPEAT Program

Aids purchasers assess and select electronic products based on environmental attributes. Verification of the biobased content is determined with ASTM D6866.

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Alternative fuel biomass determination:

C14 Dating internationally recognized
Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

ASTM International
Standardized through ASTM D6866

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

CEN (European Committee for Standardization)

Standardized through CEN 15440 (CEN 15747)

EU-ETS (EU Emission Trading Scheme)

Recommends CEN 15747 for refuse-derived fuels

ROCs (Renewable Obligation Program UK)

Program based on energy instead of CO2. Calculation being evaluated by OFGEM for each project application

US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Required to report carbon-neutral CO2 in waste and blended alternative fuels Required for waste derived biofuels and recommended for imported blended biofuels

ARB (California Air Resources Board)

Required to report carbon-neutral CO2 in waste and blended alternative fuels

TCR (The Climate Registry)

Measuring biogenic emissions from biofuels, waste fuels, and biomass co-firing.

WCI (Western Climate Initiative)

For combustion units using mixed fuels and waste-derived fuels

Australia Greenhouse and Energy Reporting

Determine the amounts of each kind of fuel in blended liquid or solid fuels.

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Working Example : Surprises

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

The manufacturer submitted 3 samples

Radiocarbon Dating Results were . . . Product A Product B 69 % Biobased 78 % Biobased

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Product C
A B

70 % Biobased
C

After the analyses, the manufacturer informed the lab that A, B, & C were all the same product and an error must be present in the result for Product B
ASTM-D6866 determined the biobased content & revealed a quality control issue.

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MARKETING PERSPECTIVE
Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

50 % biobased also means 50% less petroleum carbon. consider this in the marketing of your biobased products

This product contains 50% less petroleum than our previous formulas

Immediately understood by the public

Positive public image and reception Brings value to your assemblers, distributors and retailers

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LEGAL PERSPECTIVE PRODUCT DEFENSE

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

An ASTM-D6866 analysis is routine, but complex it is a one off measurement

If you are doing R&D or product development, generally one measurement is fine.
If you are submitting materials to the USDAs BioPreferred Program or other certification, we recommend 2 analyses per material for better credibility and averaging. If you are doing any kind of product discovery, product market protection, or any purpose that may entail commercial or legal repercussions, we recommend 3-4 analyses per material.

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Considerations in using ASTM-D6866

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background

All carbon components must be either fossil or contemporary (respiring carbon within last 10 years)

The reported result will be unique to the actual material analyzed

Ensure a representative sample is analyzed

Consider the homogeneity of your product

If carbonates of natural mineral origin account for > 3% of the total carbon in the product, it must be subtracted out of the Biobased Content.

Conclusion

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Reporting
Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification

Simple Visual Report

Easy Inter-comparison
Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Instinctively Obvious

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Time and Cost

Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background

How long does it take to get a result? 4-7 Business Days

How much does it cost? $595 per analysis

Conclusion

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ISO 17025
Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Highest level of recognized quality any testing laboratory can attain Recognized by every major certification program Beta Analytic was awarded the ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 accreditation Only provider of radiocarbon determinations in the world with ISO 17025 Accreditation

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Company Background
Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

30 years in business, considered the leader of our field Fast turn-around times (as little as 24 hours) Confidentiality of all results Large throughput operation [52 LSC counters, 3 mass spectrometers, 4 accelerator mass spectrometers, 16 chemistry lines] 20 dedicated full-time professionals, no part-time students learning on your samples ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited

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Conclusion
Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Biobased materials are derived from renewable biological resources Carbon-14 is present in biobased materials and absent in fossil fuel-derived materials ASTM D6866 can be used on any material type (solid, liquids, gases)

ASTM D6866 is used in major certification programs including the USDA BioPreferred Voluntary Label for Biobased Products
Biobased content testing is an offsite analysis; results reported as % biobased versus % fossil-derived

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WWW.BETALABSERVICES.COM
Measuring the Biobased Content of Renewable Chemicals and Biofuels

Background of Biobased Background of ASTM D6866 Use in Product Certification Application of ASTM D6866 Beta Analytic background Conclusion

Headquarters Miami, Florida USA +(1) 305-667-5167

Japan Nagoya, Japan +(81) 52-802-0703

China Beijing, China +(86) 10-8418-1950

India New Delhi, India +(91) 90-13-020788

Brazil So Paulo, Brazil +(55) 11-3958-8586

Australia North, Sidney, Australia +(61) 282-053-107

U.K. & E.U. London, UK +(44) 20-7617-7459

Pat Patodia Ppatodia@betalabservices.com

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