Meeting the Challenges of Biodiesel Blend Measurements with Portable Mid-Infrared Analyzers

In a published paper on biodiesel blend quality submitted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory1, the chief problem found with biodiesel blends was inaccurate blend ratios. Retail customers and fleet managers do not typically worry about whether the blend ratio is correct until a problem occurs. For fleet managers, an incorrect blend can mean a total shutdown of operations. On the regulatory side, the increase in fuel costs combined with the financial rewards of tax rebates and credits have allowed for shady characters to take advantage of inadequate testing programs by adding less biofuel than stated or adding other components to extend the fuel such as pure vegetable oil, jet fuel or kerosene.