Testing your brew is paramount for any producer who is keen to perfect there product. With wine and beer we use our pallet. With biodiesel we use a lab.
Looking at your fuel or shaking it in a bottle with water tells the un trained eye very little about biodiesel, checking the parameters to the standard via a lab who is experienced in biodiesel testing is the only way to know what is in your fuel.
Testing of biodiesel has been clouded by the myth that is extremely expensive and unobtainable to the small scale biodiesel maker. I first approached Steve at T&S labs back in 2001 to test biodiesel from the now ABG biodiesel plant at Berkley vale, our first test was glycerine free which we passed first time.
In retrospect I would have first been looking to get my ester content right to show conversion of fat to methyl ester then total glycerine then all of the parameters that show if the refining (washing) of the product has been completed.
I asked Steve about adding a link to biodiesel forums to promote his labs ability to test biodiesel for reasonable cost. Steve’s experience in testing biodiesel is invaluable in working out where most biodiesel production needs attention. T&S labs is used by 2 of the commercial biodiesel manufactures in Australia that I know of.
-PAUL-
Paul Martin has been working in the biodiesel industry in Australia since 2000. He started ABG, BAA and opened the first biodiesel bowser in Australia. His work is now focused on www.wimmerabiodiesel.com.au and www.grownfuel.com His biodiesel manual ‘biodiesel for the Small Producer’ has sold in 11 countries and has been featured on many TV programs and newspapers.
Testing of Biodiesel for personal use.
Testing of Biodiesel can be quite extensive and expensive but does not need to be if it is for your personal use. My experience of testing Biodiesel over a number of years has shown that there are some tests which need to be performed on each batch and others which could be performed less frequently.
To perform the full range of specification tests on a sample of B100 can run into thousands of dollars, and is generally required to be performed if you are selling the fuel commercially.
If you are using the fuel for your own use then it is recommended that the following tests at least be performed to give you some level of confidence that your process is working and to avoid costly maintenance and down time resulting from a batch that did not work.
Minimum tests recommended for each batch
Acid Number
Measures the level of free fatty acids. Biodiesel with a high acid number can potentially increase fuel system deposits and the likelihood of corrosion.
Free Glycerin
Measures the amount of free glycerin in the fuel. High levels can contribute to injector deposits, blocked fuel systems, and can accumulate at the bottom of storage tanks and fuel systems.
Total Glycerin
This test measures the glycerin portion of unreacted and partially reacted fats and oils. It is a particularly useful test as it shows the amount of conversion from fats/oil to methyl ester that has occurred. High amounts of Mono, Di, and Triglycerides can contribute to injector deposits and filter plugging in cold weather.
Ester content
This test also gives a measurement of the conversion from Fats/oils to ester. When used in conjunction with glycerin measurement you can get a good picture of the effectiveness of your reaction process.
Viscosity
Biodiesel tends to have a higher viscosity than petroleum distillate and, if out of specification, can effect injector spray patterns resulting in power loss, excessive exhaust smoke, engine deposits, etc.
Water content
Free water is a problem, as opposed to dissolved water, in that it can drop out of the fuel and accumulate in the fuel system causing corrosion, wear, blocked injectors, etc.
It is not recommended that the tests above are the only tests you ever do, as the full specification should be performed at some stage to check that your process is effective. But by at least checking the above you can have some confidence in the product you are producing, and also identify problem areas in your process that may arise without spending thousands of dollars on the full specification every time, or worse, thousands on equipment repairs and downtime.
How to test your fuel
You can have your fuel samples analysed for the tests listed above (Level 2 Biodiesel) through T&S Laboratory Services at a cost of $286 per sample (inc GST).
If you wish to have a sample tested, please forward 250mls of sample with a cheque or money order for $286 to:
T&S Laboratory Services
P.O.Box 358 Miller NSW, 2168
Or
Unit 6/5 Weld St Prestons NSW, 2170
Please ensure you attached your contact details so we can send through your report when testing is complete, usually 2 to 3 working days from time of receipt. Reports are available by email, fax, or post.
For further information contact Steve Brennan at T&S Laboratory Services, on 0416 381 893 or tslab@bigpond.com
Click here for the testing regime.
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