Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
9.4 Fuel Quality Variation by Feedstock and by Country .......................................................... 186
9.4.1 Fuel Quality by Feedstock ........................................................................................ 186
9.4.2 Fuel Quality/Standards by Country .......................................................................... 186
9.4.2.1 International ............................................................................................... 187
9.4.2.2 National ...................................................................................................... 189
Appendix 1: Fatty Acids of Biodiesel Feedstock ........................................................................... 193
Appendix 2: Specifications ............................................................................................................ 195
Appendix 3: Measurement methods and Standards .......................................................................206
References ...................................................................................................................................... 212
Websites ......................................................................................................................................... 214
9.1 IntroductIon
The quality of biofuels varies because of differences in feedstock, production process, or regional
factors such as climate, fuel and emissions regulations, car fleet, and so on. The existing biofuel
quality specifications reflect these variations. However, the continuing growth of the biofuel market
from the one side and the pressures from vehicle and engine manufacturers from the other side
requires the establishment of international biofuel standards. These standards should guarantee that
the use of biofuels shall not harm human health or the environment, should not influence proper
engine operation and performance, and should keep the safety of use and the fuel economy at an
acceptable level.
This chapter addresses only standards pertaining to the biofuels being currently traded: bioetha-
nol and biodiesel. Table 9.1 lists the main fuel properties for bioethanol and biodiesel, which will be
explained later in Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of this chapter.
taBle 9.1
Properties of Biofuels (Biodiesel and Bioethanol)
Biodiesel
Bioethanol
Flash point
Color and appearance
Viscosity
Density
Sulfated ash
Sulfate content
Sulfur
Sulfur content
Copper strip corrosion
Copper content
Cetane number
Electrical (electrolytic) conductivity
Cloud point, and cold filter plugging point
Ethanol content
Carbon residue
pHe
Acid number
Acidity
Total and free glycerin and mono-, di-, and triglycerides
Phosphorus content
Phosphorus content
(Unwashed) gum/evaporation residue/nonvolatile material
Distillation temperature, T90
Chloride content
Oxidation stability
Water content
Alkali and alkaline-earth metals
Iron and sodium content
Water and sediment (water content and total contamination)
Ester content
Iodine number, linolenic acid methyl ester, and
polyunsaturated biodiesel
Density
Ethanol and methanol content
