Diesel quality control from physical properties to fuel composition

Diesel quality control involves a broad range of analytical parameters, from flash point and oxidation stability to viscosity, density, distillation behaviour, cold-flow properties, and fuel composition. Anton Paar covers these requirements with solutions for laboratory and process analysis – now complemented by a new generation of automated distillation analysers and new FTIR capabilities for FAME determination.

One of the latest additions to the portfolio is the Diana series, which performs atmospheric distillation of fuels according to ASTM D86 and EN ISO 3405, bringing a new generation of automated boiling-range analysis to petroleum laboratories.

For fuel composition analysis, the new Flow Cell Modules extend the application scope of the Lyza 7000 FTIR spectrometer for FAME determination according to ASTM D7371, ASTM D7806, and DIN EN 14078. Dedicated configurations combine suitable flow-cell hardware with embedded evaluation and pre-installed application presets for the respective standards. 

“The new Flow Cell Modules make it easier for laboratories to use FTIR for FAME determination in routine diesel quality control,” says Daniel Vetter, Product Manager for Lyza 7000 at Anton Paar. “With dedicated hardware and predefined workflows for the relevant standards, laboratories have everything they need to perform these measurements efficiently and according to the respective method.”

Dedicated Flow Cell Modules support the different standard-specific workflows, with advantages such as calibration-free measurements for ASTM D7371 in the 0 % to 20 % range, direct FAME and triglyceride evaluation for ASTM D7806, and dilution-free measurements for DIN EN 14078 from 3 % to 20 % FAME. 

Beyond these additions, Anton Paar’s portfolio supports routine diesel quality control with dedicated instruments for a wide range of laboratory tasks and levels of automation. Laboratories can select solutions based on their individual testing requirements while working with a consistent portfolio from a single supplier. Portable instruments extend testing to on-site applications, while inline solutions provide continuous measurement data directly from the process.

Digital connectivity extends the diesel testing workflow beyond individual instruments. AP Connect brings data from Anton Paar and supported third-party instruments into one digital environment, enables structured transfer to systems such as LIMS platforms, and supports centralised management of users, roles, permissions, and laboratories. This reduces manual data handling while giving laboratory teams more consistent control over data flows and access across connected instruments.

By combining established diesel testing solutions with new developments in automated distillation, FTIR-based FAME determination, and connected data management, Anton Paar supports consistent diesel quality control in the laboratory, on site, and directly in the process.