Biodiesel
69
WSD of diesel blended with 2% w/w biodiesel. When unrefined biodiesel
was used as lubricity enhancers, the WSD value of diesel decreased significantly, from 735 to 351–429 microns, and was lower than the acceptable limit
of 460 microns of EN590. When refined biodiesels were used, the WSD values
decreased to 528–567 microns, but were still over the acceptable limit of 460
microns. It can obviously be seen that all the unrefined biodiesels showed
improved lubricity properties over the refined biodiesels. It is expected that
MG, DG, and TG are the most probable compounds that influence the lubricity properties of them.
3.4.20 Sodium and Potassium
The presence of Na and K is determined as per EN 14108 test method.
Biodiesel (0.001–2 g) sample is diluted with solvent and is allowed to burn in
the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. It detects Na and K at 589 nm and
766.5 nm wavelength, respectively. Sodium or potassium is used as catalyst
for the base catalyzed transesterification process. These catalyzes are to be
removed completely in the purification process, otherwise these may cause
engine deposits and high abrasive wear levels. Abrasive solids can contribute
to injector, fuel pump, piston, and ring wear, and also to engine deposits.
Soluble metallic soaps have little effect on wear but may contribute to filter
plugging and engine deposits. High levels of Na and K compounds settled on
exhaust particulate collectors can create increased back pressure and increase
the maintenance.
3.5 Biodiesel Quality Standards
Biodiesel processing and its quality are closely related. The processes used
to convert the feedstock into biodiesel determine whether the product will
meet the desired biodiesel production or not. The biodiesel quality can be
influenced by several factors:
• Quality of feedstock
• Fatty acid composition of vegetable oils/animal fats
• Production process and ingredients used
• Postproduction parameters
If biodiesel met the desired limits, then only the biodiesel can be used in
engines while maintaining the engine manufacturer’s durability and reliability. Biodiesel should meet its specification when it is blended with diesel
even in small percentages. Table 3.6 shows the biodiesel standards used in
69
WSD of diesel blended with 2% w/w biodiesel. When unrefined biodiesel
was used as lubricity enhancers, the WSD value of diesel decreased significantly, from 735 to 351–429 microns, and was lower than the acceptable limit
of 460 microns of EN590. When refined biodiesels were used, the WSD values
decreased to 528–567 microns, but were still over the acceptable limit of 460
microns. It can obviously be seen that all the unrefined biodiesels showed
improved lubricity properties over the refined biodiesels. It is expected that
MG, DG, and TG are the most probable compounds that influence the lubricity properties of them.
3.4.20 Sodium and Potassium
The presence of Na and K is determined as per EN 14108 test method.
Biodiesel (0.001–2 g) sample is diluted with solvent and is allowed to burn in
the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. It detects Na and K at 589 nm and
766.5 nm wavelength, respectively. Sodium or potassium is used as catalyst
for the base catalyzed transesterification process. These catalyzes are to be
removed completely in the purification process, otherwise these may cause
engine deposits and high abrasive wear levels. Abrasive solids can contribute
to injector, fuel pump, piston, and ring wear, and also to engine deposits.
Soluble metallic soaps have little effect on wear but may contribute to filter
plugging and engine deposits. High levels of Na and K compounds settled on
exhaust particulate collectors can create increased back pressure and increase
the maintenance.
3.5 Biodiesel Quality Standards
Biodiesel processing and its quality are closely related. The processes used
to convert the feedstock into biodiesel determine whether the product will
meet the desired biodiesel production or not. The biodiesel quality can be
influenced by several factors:
• Quality of feedstock
• Fatty acid composition of vegetable oils/animal fats
• Production process and ingredients used
• Postproduction parameters
If biodiesel met the desired limits, then only the biodiesel can be used in
engines while maintaining the engine manufacturer’s durability and reliability. Biodiesel should meet its specification when it is blended with diesel
even in small percentages. Table 3.6 shows the biodiesel standards used in