Determination of Free and Total Glycerin in Biodiesel Methyl Esters -ASTMD6584 and EN14105-

Introduction

There is rising concern with respect to global warming and the reduction of CO₂ emissions, and the use of plant-derived oils as a raw material for production of fuel for diesel engines (biodiesel) is spreading worldwide. Production of biodiesel generally involves reacting methanol with the oil, causing a trans- esterification reaction to produce fatty acid methyl esters. A residual byproduct of the manufacturing process includes free glycerine and mono-, di- and triglycerides. In the United States and Europe, there are standards and prescribed analytical methods for regulating the quality of biodiesel. In this Application News we introduce the analytical methods, ASTM D6584 and EN 14105, as they are now specified as of March 2007.

May 28, 2007 GMT