http://domesticfuel.com/2014/05/08/research-finds-real-time-biodiesel-analysis/
Research Finds Real-Time Biodiesel Analysis
Posted on May 8, 2014 by John Davis
New research shows a way to conduct quality analysis in real-time.
Biodico’s VP of Research and Development, Trey Teall, presented the
results of a five-year research project at the recent American Oil
Chemists’ Society (AOCS) Annual Meeting & Expo in San Antonio, Texas
that focused on the use of Fourier Transform Near-infrared Spectroscopy
(FT-NIRS) to provide real-time in-situ analysis of the biodiesel
production process as an alternative to conventional ASTM biodiesel
methodology.
ASTM 6751 protocols require the use of techniques that are relatively
time-consuming and provide data about the state of the biodiesel
reaction kinetics after the fact. For example, the use of gas
chromatography to determine mono, di and tri glycerides, and free
glycerin will take a trained technician over 45 minutes. It requires
that a sample be drawn, reacted (silylated) and run through the GC; and
the results indicate what the reaction state was instead of what it is
in real time. In contrast, Teall’s research has shown that the use of
FT-NIRS can be conducted with sensors imbedded into various production
process streams and provide highly accurate near-instantaneous data
about the state of the reaction. It can also detect low level
contaminants to ensure that finished biodiesel meets the requirements of
ASTM D 6751 for finished biodiesel.
The research is continuing and is funded by grants from the California
Energy Commission and is in collaboration with the Naval Facilities
Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, California Polytechnic
University at San Luis Obispo, University of California Santa Barbara,
and Marquette University.
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