Biodiesel Testing

Check out the Preliminary Package Test Announcement.

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Midwest Laboratories is offering a new Cold Testing Package for biodiesel. This package is good for B100-Biodiesel and biodiesel blends. This package offers the following ASTM Tests: Annex to D6751 -Cold Soak Filtration | ASTM 6371 -Cold Filter Plugging Point | ASTM D2500 Cloud Point | ASTM D 97 Pour Point

Contact Heather or Brent @ 402-829-9877

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The Bioidesel Critical Test Package is changing to
$400.00 with the inclusion of the Cold Soak Filtration Test

Midwest Laboratories put together a critical package for biodiesel
clients to help clients produce a quality product by passing the
hardest requirements of ASTM D 6751 .This new critical package, (Flash
Point, Acid Number, Total Glycerin, Free Glycerin, Oxidation Stability
and NEW – Cold Soak Filtration) includes the Cold Soak Filtration. This
new test has required a number of biodiesel producers to reevaluate
steps in their process. The Cold Soak Filtration Test will officially
be enforced in April, 2009 as a part of ASTM D 6751. At Midwest
Laboratories, our role is to help inform clients about this test up
front so it can be addressed sooner rather than later.

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The newest requirement for biodiesel fuel testing is the cold soak filtration test. This was added to the ASTM Method in October 2008, and it is designed to improve purity standards.

In the past, substandard biodiesel would often precipitate material out of solution when exposed to cold temperatures. If this happens with biofuel used in an engine, it can lead to extensive damage. Therefore, legislators required the cold soak filtration test to prevent such substandard product from being available to consumers.

The standards are established by an organization known as the ASTM, American Society for Testing and Materials. For years, the ASTM has set the standards for the fuel source to be allowed in the marketplace.

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In his State of the Union address, President Bush highlighted the United States’ need for energy independence, including solar power, wind power, and of course, biofuels.

One proposition of interest was to invest in research making ethanol from agricultural waste, which is a realistic biofuel of our future.

Methane gas is a natural byproduct of landfills all over our country. Power plants are starting to use this energy source to make the electricity to power your home and business.

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A recent story on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered“, focused the discussion on ethanol not being the holy grail of clean burning fuel.

The featured guest, Tim Searchinger of Princeton University, said, “The simplest explanation is that when we divert our corn or soybeans to fuel, if people around the world are going to continue to eat the same amount that they’re already eating, you have to replace that food somewhere else.”

This of course forces humans to convert more natural forests and grasslands into agricultural fields which results in more carbon dioxide production.

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Biodiesel fuel benefits depend on the properties of the fuel produced.  Refiners and distributors ensure the quality of this alternative fuel by meeting the standards specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

The ASTM guidelines place maximum and/or minimum limits on 4 biodiesel characteristics: 

1) Flash Point.  The flash point is the lowest temperature for which combustion is possible.  If too low, then inadvertent combustion may occur which is of course a safety hazard.  Producers should always test biodiesel fuel for the flash point to ensure the safety of distributors, retailers and consumers.

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To become certified by the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission (NBAC) as a BQ-9000 producer or seller, biodiesel fuel producers, distributors and retailers may be interested in putting into practice a fuel testing program.

Key to BQ-9000 certification is compliance with the ASTM D6751 specification for B100. The ASTM D6751 sets limits on a number of properties of biodiesel fuel:

• the combined mass concentration of calcium and magnesium
• the closed cup flashpoint
• the combined volume concentration of water and sediment
• and many more properties.

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We are excited about The National Biodiesel Conference & Expo 2008! It will be held in Orlando, February 3-6, 2008 – Orlando is a great place to be in the middle of winter! The Conference will be at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center.

The 2008 Conference is expected to break records with the number of industry leaders. There will be endless opportunities for education, networking, and events.

Stop by the Midwest Labs booth (Booth 1019) to learn more about our biodiesel testing analysis – analysis you can trust. For more information, contact Brent Pohlman or Heather Ramig at 402-334-7770.

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The U.S. Department of Energy has many biodiesel related incentives and laws to encourage blenders, producers, and retailers to manufacture these alternative fuels.

Quality control is a must throughout the production process. Midwest Laboratories, Inc. offers a wide array of Petroleum Analysis & Biodiesel Analysis Biodiesel Testing. We’re happy to work with you to whether you need an individual biodiesel testing kit or are interested in a package to continuously test biodiesel.

For additional information, please contact bpohlman@midwestlabs.com

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