Overview
EN ISO 13833:2013 (CEN adoption of ISO 13833:2013) defines standardised methods to determine the proportion of biomass (biogenic) versus fossil-derived CO2 in exhaust gases from stationary sources using the radiocarbon (14C) technique. The standard covers sampling strategies, sample preparation, and radiocarbon measurement procedures, with a working range for the biogenic-to-total CO2 fraction from 0.02 to 1.0 (lower limit 0.02). It supports integrated sampling periods from about 1 hour up to 1 month and provides procedures for multiple 14C measurement techniques.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and limits: Applicable to stack/exhaust gas CO2 for biogenic fraction determination; lower limit of application 0.02 (2%).
- Sampling methods: Specifies proportional and integrated sampling approaches for representative stack gas collection over various durations.
- 14C measurement techniques: Normative procedures and annexes cover:
- Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS)
- Liquid Scintillation (LS)
- Beta-ionization (BI)
- Sample preparation and analysis: Guidance on converting collected CO2 to measurement-ready carbon and defining test portions.
- Quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC): Requirements for calibration, blanks, standards and reporting to ensure robust, traceable results.
- Terminology and units: Defines terms such as percentage modern carbon (pmC) (normalized to SRM 4990c) and radiocarbon concepts; the document notes 100% bio-based carbon was set at 105 pmC in 2009.
- Reporting: Specifies the essential elements of the test report and calculation of the biogenic fraction.
Note: ISO highlights potential patent claims related to radiocarbon use; contact details for identified patent holders (ECRA, ECN) are provided in the standard.
Practical applications
- Carbon accounting & emissions trading: Provides validated data for distinguishing renewable vs fossil CO2 in emission inventories and greenhouse gas trading.
- Fuel and process verification: Verifies biogenic content of fuels (e.g., solid recovered fuels, co-fired fuels) where feedstock composition is uncertain.
- Regulatory compliance & permitting: Supports permits and reporting requirements for facilities seeking to demonstrate renewable CO2 contributions.
- Research and life-cycle assessment (LCA): Supplies robust empirical inputs for studies on biofuel use, carbon neutrality claims, and policy analysis.
Who should use this standard
- Environmental and stack sampling laboratories
- Power plants, cement and waste-to-energy facilities
- Environmental regulators and compliance officers
- Emissions traders, auditors, and LCA practitioners
- Researchers working on biofuel/biogenic carbon measurement
Related standards
- ISO 7934 (SO2 determination)
- ISO 10396 (sampling for automated gas monitoring)
- ISO 15713 (gaseous fluoride sampling)
These provide complementary procedures for sampling and analysis in stationary source emissions contexts.
