Frequently Asked Questions on ASTM D6866 for Biofuel Testing

ASTM D6866 is a standard specifically developed for biobased content measurements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture requested the development of this method because it needed a precise and reliable tool for verifying the biobased content claims under its BioPreferred Program. Many biobased manufacturers use the ASTM D6866 method to also verify their feedstocks, which are often derived from biofuels. No other method that can determine the biocarbon fraction has this level of accuracy and precision.

Yes, ASTM D6866 can be used for biobased content testing of biofuels. Regulators do accept ASTM D6866 results. Some regulations recommend or require ASTM D6866.

Not all radiocarbon dating labs have the technical expertise or the manpower to provide a quick turnaround time. Commercial radiocarbon dating labs that are ISO 17025-accredited are recommended because the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other organizations strongly encourage the use of laboratories that have such accreditation.

For liquid fuels, 100-200 microliters of a combustible liquid is sufficient (3 mL max). For CO2 emissions, 1 liter is sufficient if the gas is not diluted. Send 5 liters for diluted CO2 samples.

Liquid samples should be placed in tightly sealed vials that are wrapped properly to prevent breakage during shipment. Vials with snap caps, like those shown below, can be used. You can also use vials found at this site.

We have an office in London, UK. You can send your samples to this address:

Beta Analytic Limited
London BioScience Innovation Centre
2 Royal College Street
London NW10NH
United Kingdom

Only samples from Mainland China should be forwarded to our Beijing facility. Samples from Japan should be sent to our representative in Nagoya. Those from other Asian countries should be sent directly to the US lab at this address:

Beta Analytic Inc.
4985 SW 74 Court
Miami, Florida 33155
USA

China representative:

Beta Analytic Inc.
5/F South Block Tower C, Raycom InfoTech Park
No.2 KeXueYuan South Road, Haidian District,
Beijing 100190
China

Japan representative:

Chikyu Kagaku Kenkyusho Corp.
1-608 Ueda-Honmachi
Tenpaku-ku
Nagoya 468-0007
Japan