Evaluation of the Quantity of CO2 Emitted by Combustion of Paper Products

Importance of the Topic

Global warming driven by greenhouse gases such as CO2 has become a critical environmental challenge. Paper products contribute to CO2 emissions throughout their lifecycle, notably during combustion at disposal. Accurate measurement of carbon content in paper is therefore vital to quantify potential emissions and guide efforts to develop low-carbon alternatives.

Goals and Overview of the Study

This study demonstrates the use of a solid sample measurement system to determine total carbon (TC) in commercial paper samples, enabling evaluation of CO2 emissions from combustion. Three paper types were analyzed to compare carbon content and assess method reliability.

Used Instrumentation

• Shimadzu TOC-L Total Organic Carbon Analyzer
• Shimadzu SSM-5000A Solid Sample Combustion Unit

Methodology

Paper samples (high-quality, coated, glossy) were cut into ~0.5×2 cm pieces and loaded onto a sample boat with ceramic fiber overlay to prevent dispersion. Combustion at 900 °C in an oxygen carrier stream converted TC to CO2, which was quantified by infrared detection. A one-point calibration using 40 % carbon glucose powder established the response factor.

Main Results and Discussion

Measured TC values were 40.7 % for high-quality paper, 39.2 % for coated paper, and 51.1 % for glossy paper, each with a coefficient of variation below 2 %. Variations reflect differences in coating composition and filler content affecting carbon content. The low variability demonstrates the method’s precision for solid samples.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Method

• Rapid and simple analysis without complex pretreatment
• High combustion efficiency using an oxygen carrier
• High accuracy and reproducibility for solid matrices
• Applicable to environmental impact assessments, QA/QC in paper manufacturing, and research into low-carbon materials

Future Trends and Opportunities

Future developments may include automation for higher throughput, integration with life-cycle analysis tools, expansion to diverse materials (plastics, biomass), and enhanced detection for trace organics. Advances in instrumentation could further reduce analysis time and increase sensitivity.

Conclusion

The combined TOC-L/SSM-5000A system provides a robust, accurate approach for quantifying carbon in paper samples, enabling reliable estimation of CO2 emissions from combustion. This methodology supports research and quality control efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from solid products.