The Column - October 2008 - (Page 21)

October 2008 www.thecolumn.eu.com The Column Geissler Biodiesel Patterns Reflect Quality: Analysis According to DIN EN 14103 Dr Margit Geissler and Dr Franz Kramp, Shimadzu Europa GmbH, Duisburg, Germany. In this article the analysis of biodiesel according to DIN EN 14103 is described, a quality control method to ensure reliable biodiesel product quality. Introduction In the last few years, biofuels have become well established as an independent source of energy in the industrial countries. The percentage of biofuels in the energy mix is expected to increase considerably within the next 10 to 15 years to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and to maintain energy prices at long-term affordable levels. Biofuels will also have a positive impact on CO2 levels and climate change. Bio-ethanol and biodiesel are presently the most important liquid biofuels. So-called “secondgeneration biofuels” are still under development. Via Biomass To Liquid (BTL), biofuel production processes are designed to convert the greatest possible energy content from the plant to the liquid fuel. Commission, EU member states will add at least 10% biofuel to fossil fuels before the year 2020. In Europe, the demand for biodiesel will further increase, leading to a continuous search for suitable plant oils and animal fats that can be used as raw material. Experience shows that the quality of the starting materials has an enormous impact on the quality of biodiesel. Continuous quality control, therefore, remains necessary to meet the demands of modern diesel generators. What is Biodiesel? Biodiesel can be manufactured from all kinds of plant oils or fats, even used fats from deep fryers. As a result of the high viscosity, direct use of those regenerative energy resources in diesel cars requires expensive modifications to both engine and tank. Therefore, the transesterification (Figure 1) of the glycerol esters to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) is preferred. FAMEs are less viscous and remain fluid even at low temperatures. They can be used instead of mineral diesel in many diesel cars without changes to the car. At present the biggest market for biodiesel is the addition to mineral fuels (B5 i.e., up to 5% biodiesel in mineral Increasing Importance of Biofuels Based on the amount of freight transportation, the need for diesel fuels and consequently biodiesel, is significant compared with other biofuels in the European Union (EU). Should the European Parliament agree with the proposal of the European Authors: Margit Geissler and Franz Kramp Email: shimadzu@shimadzu.eu George Doyle/Getty Images 21 http://www.thecolumn.eu.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Column - October 2008

The Column - October 2008
Contents
Rapid Fatty Acid Fingerprinting in Microalgae by Gas Chromatography: Analytical Opportunities
News
Incognito: Total Solutions — Really?
Market Trends and Analysis: Market Profile: The Analytical and Life Science Instruments Industry
Tips and Tricks: GPC/SEC: Understanding Positive and Negative Detector Signals
Biodiesel Patterns Reflect Quality: Analysis According to DIN EN 14103
Bringing Together GC and LC on an MS–TOF System
Q&A

The Column - October 2008