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Dr Arul Murugan, Senior Research Scientist at the National
A lot of scientific work
and consideration goes
into the preparation of
every mixture; they are
prepared gravimetrically
to allow traceability to
the SI system of units and
stability is a particular
concern for low level
reactive impurities, such
as siloxanes and sulphur-
containing compounds
DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL METHODS
FOR GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY IS AN ART gas quality is also important and can
ReachingNetZero.indd 2
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Physical Laboratory (NPL) in the Gas and Particles Metrology
Group, explains the work going on behind the scenes to
produce primary standards for clean energy gases
hile the UK is in the middle relate to safety as well. Currently, the
of dealing with the Covid-19 quality of natural gas supplied to homes
pandemic, scientists and
must meet the technical specifications
industry are working in of the Gas Safety Management
W the background to solve Regulations 1996. This is to protect
our climate crisis. Last year, the UK pipelines and end user appliances, but
government announced a new ambitious also to ensure that the gas provides the
target to reduce the UK’s emissions by
expected flame and energy content for
at least 68 per cent by 2030 compared the homeowner. At the current time,
to 1990 levels and we need to step around 100 biogas plants are injecting
up our efforts if we are to reach these biomethane into the gas grid and
targets. To help with this, in November additional gas measurements have been
2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced to ensure that high levels
announced his 10-point plan for a green of siloxanes, which could be present
industrial revolution, setting out the in biomethane, are not entering the
approach to build back better, support grid (siloxane can cause silica build-up
green jobs and accelerate our path to during combustion in home appliances
reaching the UK’s net zero targets. and reduce performance over time).
One of the targeted areas was heating The Gas Metrology Group at the
in the UK; 85 per cent of homes are National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has
currently heated by natural gas, which historically provided the UK with the
of course means high emissions of required primary standards to ensure
carbon dioxide. From 2025 onwards, gas quality measurements carried out
the installation of natural gas boilers in the energy industry are accurate and
will be banned (under the Future traceable. After all, there is no point
Homes Standard), and one alternative performing a measurement if it is not
option would be heat pumps, which correct. These primary standards look
transfer heat from the air outside. Apart simple; they are gas cylinders containing
from complaints from existing users gas mixtures with appropriate levels
that heat pumps are not providing of hydrocarbons, inerts and low-level
enough heat on particularly cold sulphur-containing compounds.
days, there is concern that installing However, a lot of scientific work and
heat pumps in all UK homes is too consideration goes into the preparation
impractical and costly. This is why of every mixture; they are prepared
the UK gas grids are investigating gravimetrically to allow traceability to
hydrogen as an alternative option. A the SI system of units and stability is a
boiler that can operate on 100 per cent particular concern for low level reactive
hydrogen has already been developed impurities, such as siloxanes and
by Worcester Bosch and trials to blend sulphur-containing compounds.
up to 20 per cent hydrogen in natural Additionally, as NPL is the UK’s
gas are already underway through National Metrology Institute (NMI),
the HyDeploy project. There are also we are responsible for ensuring all
different routes for the hydrogen gas measurements performed in the
production step itself currently UK are traceable to the mole, and
being explored. Green hydrogen comparable to other countries that
could be produced by electrolysis we trade with. This is accomplished
using electricity from wind and solar by NPL participating in international
power, but there is also the option comparisons with other NMIs across
of continuing to utilise our existing the globe. This traceability is then
natural gas supply by producing blue disseminated to specialist gas providers
hydrogen (which would require carbon who are able to produce and provide
capture and storage). Through these their own reference standards or
options, we can continue to utilise our calibration gas mixtures.
existing gas infrastructure, which has But before NPL can supply primary
historically ensured gas for heating standards, we need to understand what
and cooking can be supplied quickly the gas measurement requirements
throughout the UK. are. These are derived from technical
Arguably one of the biggest topics specifications such as the Gas Safety
around use of hydrogen is safety, but Management Regulations 1996.
Representatives from NPL therefore
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