AQE XI AIR QUALITY & EMISSIONS TALKING POINT Where Does Black Carbon Come From?
Defi ned by some scientists as the second biggest contributor to climate change behind carbon dioxide, black carbon is a chief component of particulate matter (PM). This means that not only is it damaging for the environment, but it can also seriously jeopardise human health if people are exposed to it over a prolonged period of time.
As such, reducing emissions of black carbon at the source has been a key political objective in the Western world for many years now, and progress has been made in mitigating its spread. Nonetheless, it still remains a serious concern across the globe. So where, exactly, does black carbon come from? This article will explore that question from both a technical and geographical standpoint.
Black carbon emissions by source
Black carbon is a by-product of the incomplete combustion of fuel sources. This refers to fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, but also biofuels like wood, paper and peat. It can encompass other fuel sources, as well.
When these fuels are combusted completely, they are converted into 100% carbon dioxide. However, this never happens and incomplete combustion invariably results in the creation of black carbon. These particles can then hover in the air, trapping heat from the rays of the sun and raising the ambient temperature, or else migrate to the Arctic Circle and cause ice and snow to melt more quickly.
On a global level, household combustion of fuel sources, such as woodstoves, coal stoves, biomass heating stoves and kerosene lamps accounted for over half (58%) of black carbon emissions in 2015. The transportation industry was the second biggest contributor with 24% of emissions, while industrial production (6%), agriculture (5%) and fossil fuels (3%) were other signifi cant sources.
Black carbon emissions by country
Historically, developed nations in Europe and North America have been responsible for the lion’s share of black carbon emissions. However, increased scrutiny on air quality in these parts of the world over recent years has led to much better monitoring methods and systems, a tightening of standards and a migration away from polluting forms of power generation. As such, black carbon levels have fallen in the USA, the UK, Europe and beyond.
On the other hand, the opposite has occurred in the developing world. Impoverished households in Africa, Asia and parts of Latin America still rely heavily on the combustion of biofuels to heat their homes and cook their food. As a result, this source accounts for a signifi cant proportion of black carbon emissions in these parts of the world.
Meanwhile, awareness over the damaging effects of certain practices (such as crop stubble burning, intentional deforestation and coal burning) is not as widespread in the developing world. Cumulatively, this means that countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America now account for a staggering 88% of global black carbon emissions.
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Record Accurate Biogenic CO2
The Environment Agency (EA) now requests Energy from Waste plant operators to report Pollution Inventory (PI) emissions which now includes biogenic CO2
sources.
The EA is keen to improve the quality of data on greenhouse gas emissions within the EfW sector.
Environment Agency’s Pollution Inventory Guidance
In January 2021, the EA requested that all operational EfW plants that burn municipal solid waste (MSW) should calibrate their CO2
and N2 O CEMS plus fl ow
meters. This request was on a voluntary basis, pending this becoming a mandatory requirement in the future. For some operators, this meant adding these gases to the EN14181 reporting schedule and upgrading to MCERTS accredited fl ow probes.
Now, in 2022, the EA have made an addition to the Pollution Inventory (PI). They would like all MSW EfW plants to report CO2 Along with CO2
from biogenic sources. Biogenic CO2
O, the EA would now like to promote a standard way of reporting emissions in the PI. The standard procedure will improve the quality of data
and N2 provided, which will in turn help determine their accuracy.
The Most Accurate Method To calculate the fraction of biogenic CO2
, there are a handful of methods to choose from. Some are based on judgement and estimations.
By using the ratio obtained from the continuous C14 sampling method, and the total CO2 emitted by the plant, the amount of CO2
from biogenic sources can be calculated. As a result, this method will return the most accurate fi gures for reporting biogenic CO2
AMESA-B – Continuous Monitoring Sampler • Determines the fractions of biogenic CO2
to fossil CO2 .
• AMESA-B, is a continuous and reliable automated sampler • It uses the recognised C14 sampling method • The sampling principle fulfi ls the requirements of EN ISO 13833 • The sampling method yields the most accurate fi gures for reporting PI biogenic CO2 • Enables sites to report Biogenic CO2
data to Ofgem for fi nancial reward
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58664pr@reply-direct.com emissions. Emissions
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emissions
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