The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) announced today that a research team had successfully developed a standard gas for the greenhouse gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). (Image: KRISS)
DAEJEON, Dec. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) announced today that a research team had successfully developed a standard gas for the greenhouse gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).
A standard gas is a replicant of atmospheric conditions artificially created in the laboratory that is used to ascertain the accuracy of gas measurement methods and for adjusting measurement equipment.
Sulfur hexafluoride numbers among the world’s most potent man-made greenhouse gases.
The presence of the gas in the atmosphere is miniscule compared to the quantity of carbon dioxide. However, reports have suggested that levels have doubled in the past twenty years as the use of sulfur hexafluoride as an electrical insulator has become more widespread.
Its ability to remain in the atmosphere for a purported 3,000 years makes the possibility of it accumulating over a very long period of time a serious problem.
To regulate greenhouse gas emissions, accurate measurements are a necessity, something that has been proven to be difficult to do regarding sulfur hexafluoride due to its extreme scarcity relative to other greenhouse gases. The long delay in developing a sufficient standard gas is due to this fact.
The standard gas developed by the research team at KRISS has an uncertainty of measurement of 0.008 ppt, 250 percent higher than the baseline required by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). (Image: KRISS)
The standard gas developed by the research team at KRISS has an uncertainty of measurement of 0.008 ppt, at least 250 percent higher in accuracy than the baseline required by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Its results make the case that prior studies of sulfur hexafluoride concentration levels reported to the WMO could in actuality have underreported, KRISS stated.
The ramifications of a modification in the measured level of greenhouse gases will be felt in the certified emission reductions market, which is expected to be expanded by hundreds of trillions of won in 2020.
Standard gases are stored at the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which operates over 50 bases worldwide.
The data from the research team at KRISS is expected to be utilized by the WMO to establish greenhouse gas policy.
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
