AMESA-B Biogenic CO2 Sampler

AMESA-B Biogenic CO₂ Sampler

The AMESA-B is an automated sampler which accurately reports the fraction of fossil and biogenic CO₂ emissions.

• Ofgem approved – Proves biogenic content is greater than 50% to obtain ROC’s
• ¹⁴Carbon – Utilises the most accurate method to determine the biogenic CO₂ emissions
• The sampling principle fulfils the requirements of EN ISO 13833
• Installment pending on numerous Energy from Waste sites

Why is the Measurement of Biogenic CO₂ Important? 

Recently, there has been an increasing interest for the quantification of biogenic CO₂ in emissions. The Environment Agency now requests plant operators to report Pollution Inventory (PI) emissions to include the biomass (biogenic) and fossil derived carbon dioxide (ratio).

The increase of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions is impacted by fuel combustion. In Energy from Waste and power generation plants, combustion releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions into the Earth’s atmosphere. CO₂ made up of biogenic and non-biogenic carbon is among the leading factors which have been shown to contribute to global warming.

Biogenic CO₂ Reporting Technology

When combusting mixtures of fuels which originate from fossil fuels and biogenic carbon, current technology prohibits the exact ratio of biogenic and fossil CO₂ in the total CO₂ that is emitted through the stack gas.

However, when the two fuels are burned together, an accurate breakdown of the biogenic CO₂ fraction of the emissions can be achieved using the process of ¹⁴Carbon dating.

How Does the AMESA-B Work?

The continuous and automated sampler extracts CO₂ samples from exhaust gas in the flue via a heated sampling probe. The sample is transported to the enclosure. An adsorber cartridge filled with sodium hydroxide or soda lime, used to determine the biogenic fraction of CO_2.

• It is continuous and therefore fully representative of the feedstock
• Fully automated and requires no intervention

Typically, at the end of each month, samples from each test rig are collected, processed, and sent to an authorised analytical laboratory. The laboratory undertakes ¹⁴C spectrometry and provides the operators with the results in a report. The report gives the operator everything they need for the submission to Ofgem. As a result, the site operator can obtain ROCs and report to the Environment Agency.

Renewable Obligation Scheme – A Financial Reward for Renewable Energy Generators

The Renewable Obligation (RO) scheme, regulated by Ofgem, requires licensed electricity generators to source an increasing proportion of the electricity from renewable sources – in this case biogenic CO_2.

For their part to prove that these renewable obligations have been met, EfW operators are heavily incentivised to prove the fraction of biogenic CO₂ emissions. Operators obtain Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) which are traded with energy suppliers.

So how are ROCs calculated? Read our guide here

Book an AMESA-B Trial

Three major energy from waste companies are currently trialing the AMESA-B. Book a 3 month trial with us.