ASTM D7459-08(2016)

Standard Practice for Collection of Integrated Samples for the Speciation of Biomass (Biogenic) and Fossil-Derived Carbon Dioxide Emitted from Stationary Emissions Sources

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Greenhouse gases are reported to be a major contributor to global warming. Since “biomass CO2” emitted from combustion devices represents a net-zero carbon contribution to the atmosphere (that is, plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere and subsequent combustion returns it), it does not contribute additional CO2 to the atmosphere. The measurement of biomass (biogenic) CO2 allows regulators and stationary source owners/operators to determine the ratio of fossil-derived CO2 and biomass CO2 in developing control strategies and to meet federal, state, local and regional greenhouse gas reporting requirements.  
5.2 The distinction of the two types of CO2 has financial, control and regulatory implications.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice defines specific procedures for the collection of gas samples from stationary emission sources for subsequent laboratory determination of the ratio of biomass (biogenic) carbon to total carbon (fossil derived carbon plus biomass or biogenic carbon) in accordance with Test Methods D6866.  
1.2 This practice applies to stationary sources that burn municipal solid waste or a combination of fossil fuel (for example, coal, oil, natural gas) and biomass fuel (for example, wood, wood waste, paper, agricultural waste, biogas) in boilers, combustion turbines, incinerators, kilns, internal combustion engines and other combustion devices.  
1.3 This practice applies to the collection of integrated samples over periods from 1 hour to 24 hours, or longer.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2016
• ICS: 71.040.40 - Chemical analysis
• Technical Committee: D22 - Air Quality
• Drafting Committee: D22.03 - Ambient Atmospheres and Source Emissions

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D7459-08 - Standard Practice for Collection of Integrated Samples for the Speciation of Biomass (Biogenic) and Fossil-Derived Carbon Dioxide Emitted from Stationary Emissions Sources
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2016
• Refers: ASTM D6866-24 - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM D1356-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4840-99(2018)e1 - Standard Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2018
• Refers: ASTM D6866-18 - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM D6866-16 - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2016
• Refers: ASTM D1356-15a - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1356-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1356-14b - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1356-14a - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1356-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2014
• Refers: ASTM D6866-12 - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2012
• Refers: ASTM D6866-11 - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Refers: ASTM D6866-10 - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2010
• Refers: ASTM D1356-05(2010) - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010

Overview

ASTM D7459-08(2016): Standard Practice for Collection of Integrated Samples for the Speciation of Biomass (Biogenic) and Fossil-Derived Carbon Dioxide Emitted from Stationary Emissions Sources provides defined procedures for collecting gas samples at stationary sources. This standard is essential for speciation-distinguishing between biomass (biogenic) and fossil-derived carbon dioxide (CO₂)-which is a critical factor for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission monitoring, compliance, and reporting. By facilitating accurate measurement of biogenic and fossil CO₂ fractions, this practice supports environmental regulatory needs at federal, state, local, and regional levels.

Key Topics

• Integrated Sampling Procedures: Details methods for the collection of CO₂ samples over time periods ranging from one hour to 24 hours or longer, ensuring representative emissions data from sources such as boilers, combustion turbines, incinerators, kilns, and internal combustion engines.
• Biomass vs. Fossil CO₂ Speciation: Provides guidance for distinguishing between CO₂ produced from recently captured atmospheric carbon (biogenic), considered net-zero in carbon accounting, and CO₂ originating from fossil fuels.
• Sampling Equipment: Specifies the use of probes, particulate filters, condensers, pumps, flow meters, and sample containers that are compatible and reliable for field use.
• Sampling Rate Control: Covers constant and proportional sampling methodologies to account for variable stack flow conditions, ensuring sample integrity.
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC): Outlines procedures for leak checking, sampler calibration, flow rate verification, and sample chain of custody to preserve sample accuracy and data reliability.
• Reporting Requirements: Mandates comprehensive documentation of sampling conditions, equipment, operator information, sample identification, and QA/QC data.

Applications

This ASTM standard is widely used in:

• Environmental Compliance and Reporting: Enables power plants, industrial combustion facilities, and waste incinerators to comply with greenhouse gas inventory, cap-and-trade, and emissions reporting regulations.
• Greenhouse Gas Control Strategies: Helps facilities determine and document the proportion of fossil versus biogenic CO₂, which is foundational when planning emission reduction or carbon offsetting efforts.
• Research and Policy Development: Supports emissions studies that inform environmental policy and regulatory framework development.
• Verification of Renewable Energy Claims: Provides technical support for verifying claims of renewable or carbon-neutral energy production by distinguishing biogenic from fossil emission sources.
• Accurate Emissions Trading: Facilitates participation in carbon trading markets by ensuring reliable CO₂ speciation, a prerequisite for gaining credits or allowances related to biomass combustion.

Related Standards

Several standards and reference documents complement or are referenced by ASTM D7459-08(2016):

• ASTM D6866 – Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocarbon Analysis
• ASTM D4840 – Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
• ASTM D1356 – Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• US EPA Methods (40 CFR 60 Appendix A and B) – Reference test methods and performance specifications for emissions measurements

For a comprehensive approach to CO₂ sampling, speciation, and emissions compliance, combine ASTM D7459 with these related standards.

---

Keywords: ASTM D7459, CO₂ sampling, emissions speciation, biomass CO₂, fossil CO₂, greenhouse gas reporting, stationary sources, environmental compliance, integrated sampling, QA/QC, radiocarbon analysis, carbon monitoring, biogenic CO₂, fossil-derived carbon dioxide, standard practice

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation: D7459 − 08 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Practice for
Collection of Integrated Samples for the Speciation of
Biomass (Biogenic) and Fossil-Derived Carbon Dioxide
Emitted from Stationary Emissions Sources
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7459; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using Radiocar-
bon Analysis
1.1 This practice defines specific procedures for the collec-
2.2 Federal Standards:
tion of gas samples from stationary emission sources for
40 CFR 60Appendix B, Performance Specification
subsequent laboratory determination of the ratio of biomass
40 CFR 60Appendix A, Reference Method
(biogenic) carbon to total carbon (fossil derived carbon plus
Uncertainties In Non-Proportional SamplingPart 75 Policy
biomass or biogenic carbon) in accordance with Test Methods
AndCommunicationEfforts,EPAContractNo.EP-W-07-
D6866.
064, WorkAssignment No. 0-8, Task No. 6 (February 15,
1.2 This practice applies to stationary sources that burn
2008 – Draft)
municipal solid waste or a combination of fossil fuel (for
example, coal, oil, natural gas) and biomass fuel (for example,
3. Terminology
wood, wood waste, paper, agricultural waste, biogas) in
3.1 Definitions—For additional definitions of terms used in
boilers, combustion turbines, incinerators, kilns, internal com-
this practice, refer to Terminology D1356 and Test Methods
bustion engines and other combustion devices.
D6866.
1.3 This practice applies to the collection of integrated
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
samples over periods from 1 hour to 24 hours, or longer.
3.2.1 biomass (biogenic) CO,n—CO recently removed
2 2
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
fromtheatmospherebyplants,thenreturnedtotheatmosphere
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
by combustion or biogenic decay.
standard.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—BiomassCO emittedfromcombustion
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
devices is often referred to as “carbon-neutral CO .”
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2.1.2 Discussion—Biomass carbon contains the isotope
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
radiocarbon(carbon-14)inmeasurablequantities.Radiocarbon
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- is a radioactive isotope of the element carbon, carbon-14,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
having 8 neutrons, 6 protons, and 6 electrons making up 1 ×
-12
10 naturalabundanceofcarbononearth.Itdecaysexponen-
2. Referenced Documents
tially with a half-life of about 5700 years and as such is not
measurable in fossil materials derived from petroleum, coal,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
natural gas, or any other source more than about 50 000 years
D1356Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
old.
Atmospheres
D4840Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
3.2.2 constant rate sampling, n—sampling conducted at a
D6866Test Methods for Determining the Biobased Content
fixed sampling rate.
3.2.3 Fossil CO,n—CO introduced into the atmosphere
2 2
through the combustion or thermal dissociation of fossil
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD22onAirQuality
materials.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.03 on Ambient Atmospheres
and Source Emissions.
3.2.3.1 Discussion—Fossil-derived CO is void of radiocar-
Current edition approved March 1, 2016. Published March 2016. Originally
bon and consists entirely of the “stable carbon” isotopes
approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D7459 – 08. DOI:
10.1520/D7459-08R16.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
the ASTM website. www.dodssp.daps.mil.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7459 − 08 (2016)
NOTE3—SamplesmaybecollectedusingEPAMethod3inconjunction
carbon-13 (having 7 neutrons, 6 protons, and 6 electrons)
with applicable U.S. EPA reference test methods requiring Method 5
making up 1.2% natural abundance carbon on earth and
sampling apparatus.
carbon-12 (having 6 neutrons, 6 protons, and 6 electrons) and
6.2 Condenser—Air-cooled, water-cooled, or other con-
making up 98.8% natural abundance carbon on earth.
densertoremoveexcessmoisturethatwouldinterferewiththe
3.2.4 proportional sampling, n—sampling conducted such
operationofthepumpandflowmeter.Thecondensermustnot
that the ratio of the sampling rate to stack gas velocity or
remove any CO . The condenser may be omitted if the
volumetric flow rate is constant.
moisture concentrations are too low for condensation, for
3.2.5 speciation, n—identificationofthebiomassandfossil-
example, after dilution CEMS.
derived CO components within bulk air effluents.
NOTE 4—CO is slightly soluble in water; its effect is estimated to be
3.2.6 sub-sampling, n—the process of taking a representa-
less than about 0.2%. Acid gases (for example, SO , HCl) reduce the
tive smaller amount of sample volume from a large bulk
solubility of CO to a negligible level. In addition, since the method
involves ratios of biomass to fossil derived CO , any solubility (if any) of
sample volume.
CO in water does not affect the results.
4. Summary of Practice
6.3 Valve—Needle valve, or equivalent, to adjust sampling
flow rate. The valve may be omitted if a pump that samples at
4.1 Representative gas samples are collected at a constant
a constant rate is used.
rate from stationary emission sources into portable containers
for shipment to off-site analytical facilities performing Test
6.4 Pump—Leak-free diaphragm-type pump, or equivalent,
Methods D6866 analysis.
totransportsamplegastotheflexiblebag.Itmaybenecessary
to install a small surge tank between the pump and rate meter
NOTE 1—The complexity of the analytical method requires analysis to
to eliminate the pulsation effect of the diaphragm pump on the
be performed off-site.
rotameter.
4.2 If the variability of stack gas velocity or CO
6.5 Rate Meter—Rotameter, or equivalent rate meter, ca-
concentration, or both, is beyond specified limits, proportional
pable of measuring sample flow rate to within 62.0% of the
rate sampling may need to be used. See Section 8.
selected flow rate.
NOTE 2—The majority of combustion sources are such that their
operational conditions do not vary significantly and, hence, constant rate 6.6 Sample Container—Air tight vessel that is compatible
sampling would provide representative samples. However, there are some
with the system design, which includes flexible bags, evacu-
sources, for example, peaking units, whose effluent flow rate (velocity)
atedcanisterssuchasSummacanisters,vacutainer,Tedlarbag,
andCO concentrationsvaryconsiderably.Insuchcases,itisnecessaryto
or syringes.
sample proportionally. Guidelines are given on when proportional sam-
6.6.1 The capacity of the sample container must be large
pling is necessary.
enough to contain at least 2 cm of CO (sample container
5. Significance and Use capacity (L) × %CO ×10≥2cm ) at the end of the sampling
period.
5.1 Greenhousegasesarereportedtobeamajorcontributor
6.6.2 Ifsub-samplesareusedforshipmenttothelaboratory,
to global warming. Since “biomass CO ” emitted from com-
thendeterminethesizeofthesub-samplecontainersuchthatit
bustiondevicesrepresentsanet-zerocarboncontributiontothe
will contain at least 2 cm of pure CO .
atmosphere (that is, plants remove CO from the atmosphere
and subsequent combustion returns it), it does not contribute 6.7 Flow Rate Indicator—Indicator that is proportional to
additional CO to the atmosphere. The measurement of bio- stack gas velocity or volumetric flow rate. The following are
mass (biogenic) CO allows regulators and stationary source acceptable indicators: Type S pitot tube (velocity pressure, as
owners/operators to determine the ratio of fossil-derived CO measured by manometer, transducer, etc.); ultrasonic,
and biomass CO in developing control strategies and to meet scintillation, thermal or other continuous
...