Isotopic Carbon and Carbon Dioxide Concentration in Biofuels

CRDS for Biofuel Analysis

Biofuels are being increasingly used as renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. These include diesel from plant products and ethanol from grain. In some countries, biodiesel is now blended with conventional diesel. Fuel companies need to verify the blend ratio in order to qualify for carbon tax credits. Biofuel has a different δ¹³C carbon isotope ratio than do fossil fuels. Burning a small mount of the blended fuel will yield CO₂ with a δ¹³C value will confirm the exact blend origins. Picarro Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy isotope analyzers are among the only portable calibrated instruments that can make this same measurement in the field or in the reference lab.

Our CRDS analyzers are an order of magnitude smaller and less costly than an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) system that can perform comparable δ¹³C value analysis. IRMS also requires a skilled technician operator and specific sample prep. IRMS systems are also not portable and cost tens of thousands of dollars to move. Unlike Picarro's CRDS which can operate virtually anywhere in any environment, IRMS cannot operate in the field and is highly sensitive to environmental conditions. 

Another potential biofuels usage for Picarro's CRDS analyzers is measuring headspace during fermentation processes. Genetically modified bacteria are now being used to produce engineered hydrocarbon fuel molecules. This fermentation process involves fixing CO₂ from the headspace air. Picarro CRDS CO₂  gas concentration analyzers and isotope CO₂ analyzers are ideal to monitor the process by following CO₂ consumption and/or by monitoring respiration by tracking CO₂ produced from isotopically labeled feedstock.