Factors affecting the stability of biodiesel sold in the United States

FUEL 8

Robert L. McCormick, robert_mccormick@nrel.gov1, Matthew A. Ratcliff, matthew_ratcliff@nrel.gov1, Luc Moens, Luc_moens@nrel.gov2, and Rod Lawrence, Rod.Lawrence@magellanlp.com3. (1) Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., MS# 1633, Golden, CO 80401, (2) National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401, (3) Magellan Midstream Partners, Kansas City, KS 66115
As part of a survey of biodiesel quality and stability in the United States, 27 B100 samples were collected from blenders and distributors nationwide. The samples included 4 produced from waste oils, 1 from tallow, and the balance from soy. A series of chemical analyses and oxidation stability tests were conducted to reveal the factors influencing B100 stability. A typical U.S. biodiesel exhibits 5 mg/100 ml of deposits on the ASTM D2274 accelerated stability test and less than 1 hour induction time on the EN 14112 Rancimat stability test. The short induction time may be caused by storage of the samples for several months prior to this test. The formation of insolubles on the D2274 test is influenced by the antioxidant content, polyunsaturate content, and the presence of high levels of mono and di-glycerides. The Rancimat induction time appears to be mainly influenced by the polyunsaturated content and to a lesser extent by the antioxidant content.
 

Biofuels for Transportation
8:55 AM-12:05 PM, Sunday, 26 March 2006 Georgia World Congress Center -- C204, Oral

Division of Fuel Chemistry

The 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 26-30, 2006