Determination of biogenic and fossil CO(2) emitted by waste incineration based on (14)CO(2) and mass balances.
A field application of the radiocarbon ((14)C) method was developed to determine the ratio of biogenic vs. fossil CO(2) emissions from waste-to-energy plants (WTE). This methodology can be used to assign the Kyoto relevant share of fossil CO(2) emissions, which is highly relevant for emission budgets and emission trading. Furthermore, heat and electricity produced by waste incinerators might be labelled depending on the fossil or biogenic nature of the primary energy source. The method development includes representative on-site CO(2) absorption and subsequent release in the laboratory. Furthermore, a reference value for the (14)C content of pure biogenic waste (f(M,bio)) was determined as 1.130+/-0.038. Gas samples for (14)CO(2) analysis were taken at three WTEs during one month each. Results were compared to an alternative approach based on mass and energy balances. Both methods were in excellent agreement and indicated a fraction of biogenic CO(2) slightly above 50%.
Mohn
J
J
Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research, Laboratory for Air Pollution/Environmental Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 129, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland. joachim.mohn@empa.ch
Szidat
S
S
Fellner
J
J
Rechberger
H
H
Quartier
R
R
Buchmann
B
B
Emmenegger
L
L
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis*; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D017745:Incineration; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D012015:Reference Standards
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002245:Carbon Dioxide