This UK-based waste-to-energy (WTE) plant boosted revenue and compliance by adopting the AMESA-B sampler, replacing unreliable manual CO₂ measurements. With precise, automated biogenic CO₂ data, the plant now qualifies for Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), unlocking new revenue streams, strengthening regulatory confidence, and boosting environmental credentials.
Based in Plymouth, UK, this WTE plant had already made impressive strides in reducing CO₂ emissions and saving resources through cutting-edge technologies. But the team were still struggling with unreliable and labour-intensive manual CO₂ sampling that was producing inconsistent data.
The site was relying on a custom-built wet chemistry sampling system that loosely followed the EN 13833 standard. With only 22 sampling periods per month, this manual system failed to provide a representative view of the feedstock, compromising accuracy. Additionally, the lack of automation required operators to manually collect samples, introducing bias and further reducing reliability.
The team knew the lack of automation was at best inefficient but at worst put the plant at risk of non-compliance. What’s more, it was preventing the plant from qualifying for tradeable ROCs (which need proof that biogenic output is at 50% or greater), shutting off a potentially lucrative source of revenue.
To enhance its sampling accuracy, the site conducted an 18-month trial of the AMESA-B as an upgrade to its current methodology.
AMESA-B
The AMESA-B uses a CO₂ sampling method on an adsorber cartridge filled with Ascarite or soda lime, to determine the biogenic fraction of CO₂ emissions. It has a sampling period of between several hours and one month, allowing plants to determine the ratio of biogenic and fossil-derived CO2 using the C14 dating measurement.
The AMESA-B also stores plant data for easy download, providing detailed, flow-proportionate analysis to aid operational insights. Each month, collected samples are processed and sent to an ISO 17025-accredited lab for analysis according to the EN 13833 standard. These certified lab results equip the plant operator with precise data for reporting.
Now confident with the sampling method and stability of results, the team can reliably report their biogenic CO₂ fractions to improve regulatory compliance, enable qualification for ROCs, and be one step further on their journey to a more sustainable, environmentally responsible plant.