Abstract
The measurement of two properties of biodiesel, flash point (FP) and methanol content (MC) is among the requirements to verify the conformance of the final product to international standards. In this chapter the relation between FP and MC and electrical properties (EP) will be discussed. It is important to remark that the measured flash point value, at the maximum methanol content set by all international standards, corresponds to the minimum allowable flash point according to most international standards. Therefore, compliance with the FP requirement is also a good indicator of compliance with maximum MC. Given the strong correlation between MC and FP, it is possible to use FP measurements for the preliminary verification (prior to certification) of the compliance with the methanol content requirements set by biodiesel standards. This is relevant since FP measurements are much simpler and use less expensive equipment than the procedure for determination of methanol content recommended by standards (chromatographic analysis). Moreover, measurements of electrical properties (EP) carried out at different temperatures show a clear dependence between MC and the permittivity and conductivity of the samples. Therefore, permittivity measurements as a function of temperature makes possible to determine accurately MC in biodiesel within a wide range of concentrations, including the maximum value set by the standards (0.2%). Also, measurements of biodiesel conductivity at room temperature (25°C) may be used for a preliminary check of methanol concentrations above 0.5%. In summary, although they are not required by international standards, EP measurements provide a convenient, low-cost alternative for the verification of the required parameters.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
EN 14214 (2009) Automotive fuels—fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for diesel engines. Requirements and test methods
ASTM D 6751 (2009) standard specification for biodiesel fuel blend stock (B100) for middle distillate fuels. ASTM International
ASTM D 93 (2002) Standard test methods for flash point by Pensky-Martens closed cup tester. ASTM International
González Prieto LE, Sorichetti PA, Romano SD (2008) Electric properties of biodiesel in the range from 20 Hz to 20 MHz—comparison with fossil diesel fuel. Int J Hydrogen Energy 33:3531–3537
Sorichetti PA, Romano SD (2005) Physico-chemical and electrical properties for the production and characterization of biodiesel. Phy Chem Liq 43(1):37–48
EN 14110 (2003) Fat and oil derivatives—fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Determination of methanol content
Romano SD, Sorichetti PA (2009) Correlations between electrical properties and flash point with methanol content in biodiesel. Chem Phys Res J 3(2/3):259–268
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer-Verlag London Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Romano, S.D., Sorichetti, P.A. (2010). Relations Between the Properties Required by International Standards and Dielectric Properties of Biodiesel. In: Dielectric Spectroscopy in Biodiesel Production and Characterization. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-519-4_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84996-519-4_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-84996-518-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-84996-519-4
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)