SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 2610:2023 PDF

Overview

CEN ISO/TS 2610:2023 (ISO/TS 2610:2022) defines a validated analytical procedure for the determination of alkanolamines in biomethane. The technical specification describes sampling, preparation and laboratory measurement by thermal desorption gas chromatography with flame ionization and/or mass spectrometry detection (TD‑GC‑MS/FID). The method targets five amines commonly introduced during biogas upgrading: monoethanolamine (MEA), diglycolamine (DGA), diethanolamine (DEA), N‑methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) and piperazine (PZ). Reference conditions are given for results reporting (15 °C, 101 325 kPa).

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and target analytes: Specifies analysis of MEA, DGA, DEA, MDEA and PZ; compound information is provided in Annex A.
• Sampling: Active sampling of a known biomethane volume onto sorbent tubes following ISO 10715 and ISO 16000‑6 guidance.
• Sorbent tubes and conditioning: Use appropriate sorbent (e.g., Tenax®‑type recommendation), stainless‑steel tubes with coating; condition tubes to remove impurities (example: 300 °C for ≥120 min under ~50 ml·min‑1 inert gas).
• Calibration and standards: Use high‑purity amine calibration standards (≥99 % for most amines, ≥98 % for DGA) with methanol as dilution solvent and N‑octane as reference. Purity assessment per ISO 19229.
• Analysis principle: Thermal desorption of trapped amines, cryogenic focusing, GC separation on capillary column suitable for ethanolamines, detection by FID and/or MS. Method selectivity and potential coelution must be checked using real biomethane matrices.
• Instrumentation: TD system with automatic tube loading and cryogenic trap (−30 °C to −100 °C or cryo‑free to −30 °C), GC with FID and/or MS.
• Performance and reporting: The document defines performance characteristics, quantification procedures and required test report content.

Practical applications and users

This technical specification is intended for:

• Analytical laboratories performing biomethane quality testing and trace amine quantification.
• Biomethane producers and biogas upgrading facilities monitoring residual alkanolamines from gas treatment.
• Gas network operators and compliance laboratories ensuring injected biomethane meets grid and fuel quality specifications (e.g., EN 16723 limits - amine total limits are addressed in applicable product standards).
• Regulators and certification bodies requiring standardized test methods for fuel quality control.

Use cases include routine quality control, pre‑injection compliance testing, troubleshooting of upgrading processes (amine carryover), and method validation for trace analysis in biomethane.

Related standards

• ISO 10715 - Natural gas sampling guidelines
• ISO 16000‑6 - Active sampling on sorbent tubes and thermal desorption for VOC/SVOC analysis
• ISO 14532 - Natural gas vocabulary
• ISO 19229 - Purity analysis and treatment of purity data
• EN 16723 (all parts) - Biomethane specifications (performance/limits reference)

Keywords: biomethane analysis, amines in biomethane, TD‑GC‑MS, thermal desorption, gas chromatography, FID, mass spectrometry, monoethanolamine, diglycolamine, diethanolamine, MDEA, piperazine.