ASTM D8473-22
Standard Test Method for Determining the Biobased content of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels Using Liquid Scintillation Counting with Spiked Carbon-14

Standard No.

ASTM D8473-22

Release Date

2022

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D8473-22

Scope

1.1 This test method covers quantitatively determining biocarbon content of liquid hydrocarbon fuels with a focus on those produced in a typical petroleum refinery using liquid scintillation counting (LSC). The method is designed to generate analogous results as Test Method D6866 Method C, for low quench samples, without the need of benzene synthesis. The purpose is to be able to use the produced data to report biocarbon content of refinery products to regulatory agencies and monitor refinery operation. The method does not address regulatory reporting or fuel performance. 1.2 The method is needed to support refinery operations when bio-feeds are co-processed with petroleum within a reactor with a focus on samples with 100 % biocarbon or less (not for 14 C labeled species). It allows refineries to report the biocarbon content of refinery products to regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or California Air Resources Board (CARB) to comply with regulatory statutes such as The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) or Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). 1.3 This test method is applicable to any liquid fuel product, petroleum based (pure hydrocarbon), biobased (such as renewable diesel or those that can contain oxygenates such as ethanol), or blends, that contain 1 % to 100 % by mass biocarbon where an instrument background can be experimentally determined using a sample of similar matrix that contains no measurable carbon-14. 1.4 This test method makes no attempt to teach the basic principles of the instrumentation used although minimum requirements for instrument selection are referenced in Refs (1-11).2 However, the preparation of samples for the above test methods is described. No details of instrument operation are included here. These are best obtained from the manufacturer of the specific instrument in use. 1.5 Pre-Requisite Requirements For Method Execution— This test method uses artificial carbon-14 (14 C) within the method. Great care shall be taken to prevent laboratory contamination of the elevated 14 C. Once in the laboratory, artificial 14 C can contaminate a variety of laboratory surfaces that can lead to artificially high sample biocarbon measurements. If vigorous cleaning attempts to remove the artificial 14 C from a laboratory are unsuccessful, instrumentation and sample preparation may have to be moved to a new laboratory away from the contamination or the laboratory may have to rely on outside third-party labs for analysis. Specific procedural steps have been incorporated into this method that minimize the risk of sample and lab contamination. Wipe tests and quality assurance samples can validate absence of contamination. In the event of contamination in the laboratory or instrument, vigorous cleaning protocols shall be implemented, and analysis cannot be resumed until the lab and instrument are free of contamination. Accepted requirements are: 1.5.1 Working with the elevated 14 C samples in a separate and defined area away from the instrument and the preparation of any non-spiked samples. 1.5.2 Using separate personnel to prepare the spiked samples and non-spiked samples. 1.5.3 Using separate laboratory spaces with separate HVAC systems for the handling of spiked and non-spiked samples. The use of separate fume hoods that have separate exhaust ventilation satisfies this requirement. 1.5.4 Weekly wipe tests of 14 C sample handling area(s) to detect lab contamination. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the 1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.04.0F on Absorption Spectroscopic Methods. Current edition approved Sept. 15, 2022. Published October 2022. DOI: 10.1520/D8473-22. 2 The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard. Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. 1 Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM D8473-22 Referenced Document

• ASTM D5291 Standard Test Methods for Instrumental Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Petroleum Products and Lubricants
• ASTM D6299 Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance*， 2023-07-01 Update
• ASTM D6300 Standard Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and Lubricants
• ASTM D6708 Standard Practice for Statistical Assessment and Improvement of Expected Agreement Between Two Test Methods that Purport to Measure the Same Property of a Material*， 2024-03-01 Update
• ASTM D6866 Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis*， 2024-02-01 Update

ASTM D8473-22 history

• 2022 ASTM D8473-22 Standard Test Method for Determining the Biobased content of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels Using Liquid Scintillation Counting with Spiked Carbon-14