Standards for Fuel Characterization

SILVIA DANIELA ROMANO; PATRICIO ANIBAL SORICHETTI

Dielectric spectroscopy in biodiesel production and characterization

Springer Verlag

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2010; p. 29 - 41

There is no doubt about the importance of quality control of biodiesel to provide users with a reliable and consistent fuel quality which guarantees a good engine performance. For this reason, the fuel is characterized by measuring different properties according to international standards. This Chapter presents the most important characterization properties, form the standpoint of the biodiesel pro-ducer. Since standards require the measurement of several properties and most of the necessary measuring equipment is expensive, and in many cases operated by highly trained personnel, the complete characterization and quality control of the biofuel is usually carried out only in industries with large-scale production capac-ity. Most small and medium producers are not always able do so. However, some equipment can be designed and built at a reasonable cost, following the specifica-tions set by the standards, which allows the determination of some important pa-rameters. Moreover, measurement of electrical properties (discussed in the follow-ing Chapters) can also give relevant information about the quality of the biofuel. Both are useful alternatives for small- and medium-scale producers, as well as small research groups.