ii UK Focus Table 1: Comparison of Analytical Techniques


So how is this used to determine the biogenic fraction of waste? A simple sample of CO2


is either collected into a large TedlarTM


bag or absorbed in an alkaline absorbent solution or solid substrate.


Figure 2 shows a typical arrangement for sampling. It is a lot simpler than might at fi rst be thought as the sampling can be achieved using a standard AMS/CEM (automatic measuring system/continuous emission monitoring) system. The key components of the sampling system are already present where there is an extractive CEM system. It only requires a manifold and, if required, the addition of a proportional sampling pump and feedback loop to the fl ow measurement system. A CEMs supplier should be able to provide the necessary modifi cations where required. A proportional sampling system is only required if the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2 the coeffi cient of variance of the CO2


A small amount of gas is obtained periodically, typically over a month and composited into the bag or absorber. The sample is recovered and sent for analysis by a specialist laboratory.


The ratio of the level of 14 CO2 to the amount of 12 CO2 is


determined. This can then be related to the amount of biogenic waste versus that originating from fossil fuel derived plastics etc. This can be achieved by several alternative analytical methods:


AMS LSC (C6 H6 Synthesis) LSC by CO2 ß-Ionisation Absorption


Amount of CO2 0.004


1


Variable to meet analytical requirements


2-10


• AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) The gas bag/canister is shipped by air freight to a lab, usually in the USA. The laboratory will usually take care of all arrangements. You receive the results. They calculate ratio of 14


C/12


) vary dramatically (i.e., twice levels is greater than 55%).


C or 14 C/13 C and 13 C/12 C. The


provide the pmC. The level of 100% bio-based carbon was set at 105pmC in 2009.


• Liquid Scintillation Counting Method. LSC determines the amount of 14


CO2 • Direct ß-Ionisation Detection.


The amounts of gas and the typical errors associated with the measurements by the different methods are shown in Table 1. The 14


C Method for determining the biogenic fraction of the waste has the following characteristics:


C indirectly through its emission of ß-particles. The


is initially either converted to benzene or reacted with an amine solution to form carbamates.


(l) Analysis Time Only limited by the Shipment Time


Can be varied by lengthening the analysis time or conc. of solution


Can be varied by lengthening the analysis time or conc. of solution


2-4 days per sample


Advantages • Simple sampling • Provides a time averaged sample


• Can be automated so that only the absorber needs changing and shipping


Disadvantages


• The method could appear daunting initially, but actually all the hard work is done by the labs.


• Peat will be assigned as biomass erroneously.


• It is necessary to ensure that no air can get into the samples during shipping. Given the problems associated with traditional methods, the 14


C


method offers some real advantages over the manual and SDM methods. It can also be used to validate computer-based balance methods such as the BIOMA software (developed by Vienna University of Technology and Ramboll) and methods based on BS ISO 18466:2016.


Dr Roger Brown FRSC is the Managing Director of Oakwood Environmental Services, an emissions and environmental consultancy. Dr Brown has been actively involved in consultancy and all aspects of source emission and ambient air testing for over 35 years. As a director of several blue-chip companies, he developed their emission test services. He currently provides consultancy to some of the world’s largest companies and holds patents for the measurement of various novel species and processes. He has also designed and commissioned state-of-the-art mobile laboratories for regulatory purposes and process optimisation. He has authored numerous papers and chapters in key works on the measurement of pollutants. He graduated from Southampton University with a doctorate in chemistry and conducted postdoctoral research into mass spectrometry and dioxin analysis. He is currently a director of the Source Testing Association and was a past Chairman, having been involved in the association for 28 years.


Author Contact Details Roger Brown, Oakwood Environmental Services • 1 Candwr Park, Ponthir, Newport, NP18 1HL • Tel +44 (0) 1633 431513 • Email: rs.brown@oakwood-environmental.co.uk


Error (StDev) pmC 0.1-0.5 0.3-2


2-4 0.3-0.5


Partnership successfully transitions from ‘innovation’ to “business as usual” to improve water quality monitoring


Anglian Water has become renown for nurturing the latest cutting-edge products and services in the water industry via their Shop Window and WIN (Water Innovation Network) programmes.


The programmes help emerging businesses to collaborate with Anglian Water to discover if a technology can make the journey from an ‘innovation’ into a product making a positive impact to both the business as well as the water sector itself; the desired outcome for the product being the advance from innovation to BAU (business as usual).


OAKWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES


• Development of Specialised Methods • Emission Data Troubleshooting • Auditing of Emissions Contractors or 3rd Party Verification • Plant Sign off or Commissioning Trials • Monitoring or Optimisation of Non Standard Processes


We Have 35 years of Specialised Experience in solving unusual problems: Members of the STA & Institute of Waste Management, Chartered Scientist, and Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry


Tel: +44 (0)7799623891 www.oakwood-environmental.co.uk


IET JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022


For More Info, email: email:


WATR is low-cost, user-friendly, easy to deploy and a highly versatile multi-parameter water quality monitor. This instrument offers real-time data to desktop dashboard or mobile device, which includes alerts and notifi cations when parameters are exceeded. WATR’s eponymous instrument offers a perfect solution for reactive one-off monitoring projects and long-term multiple device networks for lakes, river catchments, and reservoirs. This instrument was devised to enable businesses to monitor more points, more often and over longer periods, resulting in less site visits and waiting for lab results. The precise and reliable, real-time data will operators about when site visits and lab tests are required, rather than at random times randomly when there are no signifi cant.


Glyn Cotton CEO


Catchment management is a key factor to the water cycle and plays a vital role in the water that reaches the consumer’s tap as on the on the entire eco-system.


During the year-long trial, a network of WATR units were deployed along an area of catchment upstream of abstraction points. It was anticipated that the data would only be used to monitor trends in water quality, but the data provided an improved level of precision in comparison with benchmarking systems.


Anglian Water are taking strong, positive steps to fully understand the impact of water quality on catchments, they aim is to collaborate with partners such as WATR, local industry and landowners to share data and therefore improve overall water quality. The data from the trialed WATR units is now integrated into Anglian Water’s data analytics platform.


Stuart Knott, Anglian Water’s Innovation Project Manager stated, “Working closely with WATR we have seen the product evolve through collaboration, hard work and responsiveness to our needs. The sensors are appealing because they are easily deployed and operate independently. Having had a look at all the results, I’m extremely happy with the performance of the units.”


WATR’s CEO and co-Founder Glyn Cotton added, “Four years ago, we presented the concept of WATR at Web Summit in front of a global audience. Out of 20,000 entrants we are delighted to become one of three fi nalists. Since then, the product has progressed from proof-of-concept, to prototype and now to full scale roll-out. Over the last 18 months Anglian Water has been a great support and collaborative at every step of the way. I’m extremely proud the business has reached the point of BAU approval with Anglian Water.”


To add further testament to WATR’s hard work and dedication, they were nominated as a double fi nalist in the Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas awards and winners in the ‘Analytics’ category of the Water Industry TV Awards 2021.


For More Info, email: email:


57079pr@reply-direct.com


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