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

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 ¹⁴C 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 (¹⁴C) within the method. Great care shall be taken to prevent laboratory contamination of the elevated ¹⁴C. Once in the laboratory, artificial ¹⁴C can contaminate a variety of laboratory surfaces that can lead to artificially high sample biocarbon measurements. If vigorous cleaning attempts to remove the artificial ¹⁴C 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:

1.6 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 Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.