Parkland’s Burnaby refinery is one of Canada’s only remaining West Coast refineries
and diesel to include propane and other fuel gases, ensuring the complete accountability of renewable feedstocks. Regulatory bodies across North America, the EU, and beyond increasingly require this analysis for hydrocarbon and fuel gases, underscoring its growing relevance. Looking ahead, the integration of carbon capture technologies offers a complementary pathway to enhance sustainability. By capturing and repurposing CO₂ emissions from industrial processes, these technologies can work alongside carbon-14 testing to further lower the carbon intensity of fuels. Together, they represent a robust approach to decarbonising the energy sector and advancing the global transition to cleaner fuels. In conclusion, carbon-14 analysis is at the forefront of the renewable fuel movement, offering actionable insights that drive regulatory compliance, enhance operational efficiency, and bolster economic benefits. As regulations evolve and technologies advance, this methodology will remain a cornerstone of sustainable energy strategies, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. VIEW REFERENCES
regard, it can stand alone as a quantitative indicator of the presence of biogenic vs petroleum feedstocks. Economic benefits From an economic standpoint, carbon-14 testing presents opportunities. The generation of renewable fuel credits, which can be monetised, incentivises producers to maximise their renewable fuel output. Accurate carbon-14 testing allows companies to optimise operations, which can translate into significant financial benefits. Moreover, carbon-14 testing facilitates co-processing, where conventional and renewable feedstocks are blended. This method allows refineries to utilise existing infrastructure to transition to lower carbon intensity production without the high capital investments associated with building new facilities. The trust generated through reliable carbon-14 testing and accurate results reassures stakeholders that the biogenic content in fuel products is authentic, fostering a smoother transition to sustainable practices. Path forward As the renewable fuels sector evolves, biogenic testing is poised to play an even more critical role. Its uses are expanding to include additional applications, such as quantifying the biogenic carbon content of fuel gas and hydrocarbon gases ( Beta Analytic, 2024 ). At Parkland Refining, carbon-14 testing has expanded beyond high-value products like gasoline
Haley Gershon hgershon@betalabservices.com Gary Lee Gary.Lee@parkland.ca
www.decarbonisationtechnology.com
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