Biodiesel B100 Fuel Quality
Field Test Kit

 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, San Diego
 February 6, 2006

Some problems get caught

Field Test Kit Developed for B100:
pHLip Test

Fuel Quality Test Concepts

Biodiesel field test prototype
March 2005

Detection of catalyst contamination from poorly washed biodiesel fuels

Test Color vs. Dilution of
Catalyst-Contaminated Biodiesel

Test Color Shift Sensitivity is in Higher pH Range
Detection of hydroxide catalyst contamination

Aging Oxidized B100 Examples
Relative to Fresh Bright Reference

Titration of Acidic Aged Biodiesel into Reference Fuel – Color Shift

Titration of Acidic Aged Biodiesel into Reference Soy Biodiesel

Test Color Shift is Linear with pH
in Acidic Range

Detecting near-spec and off-spec fuel : top vs. bottom of tank

Titration of “Near-Spec” Biodiesel into Reference Soy B100

Test Kit Fuel Turbidity:
B100 vs. Total Glycerin
Combined mono, di and triglycerides
No free glycerin in sample

Detection of Off-Spec Biodiesel by Hygroscopic Glycerides in Fuel Titration of Off-Spec Biodiesel into clean fuel

Off-Spec Biodiesel is detectable by hygroscopic impurities in fuel
Titration of off-spec Biodiesel into clean fuel

Test result: rancid grease
Extracted from 18 wheeler fuel filter

Titration of Oleic Acid (FFA) into Reference Soy Biodiesel

Test kit color indicator is sensitive to low % of FFA in B100 fuel
Titration of Oleic Acid into Reference Soy B100

Rescuing aged fuel with Magnasol and water wash

Estimated VISUAL Detection Limits of Test Kit based on Initial Findings

pHLipTest
Commercial Applications

Research in Progress

“Smoke ‘n Mirrors” or a reliable diagnostic tool for the industry?