ISO 2613-1:2023

Overview

ISO 2613-1:2023 provides a standardized analytical procedure for determining the total silicon content in biomethane and biogas. Silicon is generally present in gaseous matrices as volatile organosilicon compounds, such as siloxanes, trimethylsilane, and trimethylsilanol. The document outlines the use of atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), specifically employing either microwave plasma (MWP) or inductively coupled plasma (ICP), for the quantification of silicon following a methodical sampling and derivatization process. This method measures total silicon as a mass per volume of gas, catering to concentrations commonly found in biomethane (0.1 mg/m³ to 0.5 mg/m³) and allowing adaptation for higher concentrations as required.

Key Topics

• Silicon Monitoring in Natural Gas Matrices: The standard describes the process of quantifying total silicon in biomethane and biogas, critical for pipeline safety and equipment longevity.
• Sample Preparation and Derivatization: Guidelines for collecting gaseous samples and converting volatile organosilicon compounds into a stable, analyzable form (hexafluorosilicate anion) are detailed.
• Analytical Techniques: AES, suitable for both laboratory and adapted field settings, ensures reliable quantification of silicon across a wide concentration range.
• Quality Control: The document emphasizes the need for calibration solutions, blank samples, and control samples to validate measurement accuracy and reliability.
• Safety Considerations: Special attention is given to hazardous reagents (nitric and hydrofluoric acid) and safe laboratory practices for accurate and secure implementation.

Applications

The methodology outlined in ISO 2613-1:2023 serves several practical and industrial needs:

• Biomethane and Biogas Quality Control: Ensuring that silicon levels in renewable gases are within safe operational limits prevents abrasive silica deposits in engines and turbines, thus avoiding costly damage and downtime.
• Natural Gas Grid Integration: Accurate silicon content measurement is essential when injecting biomethane into natural gas grids, supporting compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitating safe downstream processing.
• Research and Development: Laboratories engaged in gas analysis benefit from a robust and validated method for quantifying silicon, supporting technology development for siloxane removal and process optimization.
• Environmental and Health Protection: Monitoring silicon species helps address potential health risks and environmental impacts associated with organosilicon compound emissions.

Related Standards

ISO 2613-1:2023 references and aligns with several other international standards to ensure consistency and reliability:

• ISO 10715 - Natural gas sampling procedures, critical for ensuring representative collection and minimal contamination.
• ISO 3696 - Water for analytical laboratory use, ensuring reagent quality and analytical accuracy.
• ISO 6143 - Gas analysis comparison methods, key for calibration and validation of analytical results.
• ISO 14532 - Natural gas vocabulary, providing standardized terminology for the industry.
• ISO 14912 - Conversion of gas mixture composition data, important for calculating and expressing results in consistent units.

Conclusion

Adopting ISO 2613-1:2023 ensures laboratories and biomethane producers can accurately determine total silicon content, align with international best practices, and meet regulatory standards. This contributes directly to improved operational safety, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced sustainability in natural gas and biomethane applications. The methodology outlined is both comprehensive and adaptable, supporting a wide range of gas matrix conditions and silicon concentrations.

Keywords: ISO 2613-1:2023, silicon content, biomethane, biogas, atomic emission spectroscopy, siloxanes, natural gas analysis, gas quality, AES, MWP, ICP, gas sampling, derivatization, siloxane monitoring.