Fast and Firm Biodiesel Quality Control

In the biodiesel industry, product quality is closely linked to
measurement quality. Accurate, reliable process and quality control equal optimized product output. Anton Paar (Austria), a global leader in digital density measurement over the last several decades, provides high-precision instruments for just that purpose: the determination of all biodiesel quality parameters you need – in next to no time.
Biodiesel quality control brings about a distinct set of challenges. Reliable product output is an absolute essential, as is the adherence to norms and standards such as EN 14214 and ASTM 6750. Complete control and oversight of the entire production process are of rising importance, in direct response to ever-growing market demands. Applied biodiesel quality and process control calls for a measuring solution of outstanding accuracy and reliability, matched with economy, accessibility and ease-of-use.
The consistent quality control of incoming feedstocks with high-precision measuring instruments ensure the optimal regulation of the production process. Monitoring the process parameters enables the controlled use of expensive substances.
On-site concentration measurement allows the exact dosage of
raw materials. Numerous biodiesel producers speak of Anton Paar
measuring solutions in their process and quality control with great
satisfaction. The reasons for this partly stem from Anton Paar’s
time-proven high measuring quality, but also from the fact that
they make it their goal to specifically outline and configure their
instrumentation to meet distinct application requirements.
The measurement quality of Anton Paar`s DMA density meters, RXA refractometers, and SVM 3000 viscometers are one thing. But there is more to the deal. Anton Paar density meters are universally applicable: With a single instrument only, the density (g/cm3), specific gravity, concentration of water, oil, acids, bases and glycerin are determined.
Density-, viscosity-, and refraction index measurements from the same source guarantee consistency. And let’s not forget the often overlooked, practical factor of robustness: biodiesel, not exactly a mild substance per se, cannot damage top quality material such as PTFE, highly resistant steel, borosilicate glass, Hastelloy or titanium – the very materials Anton Paar measuring instruments are made of.
The DMA 4100 and DMA 4500 density meters from Anton Paar are unsurpassed in accuracy, repeatability and robustness, and offer way more reliability, speed, and sample economy than any pycnometer or hydrometer. A winning modular combination is formed by a DMA and an RXA refractometer. With this combination, both the density and the
refractive index can be measured simultaneously - both instruments are filled in a single step and operated via the DMA display alone. An all-in-one solution, as accurate as ever, used throughout the whole purification process, i.e. controls of glycerin contents or glycerin purity. The refractive index is demanded by Pharmacopoeia for pharmaceutical glycerin and gives more detailed information.
The most hands-on solution for quick, on-site quality checks is the DMA 35N Ex Petrol, a mobile, hand-held density meter – for process control directly at the tank and controls at the loading station. A biodiesel-resistant special housing again guarantees robustness.
The SVM 3000 viscometer is a leader among all glass capillary viscometers in its economy, practicality and speed.
The space-saving, compact tabletop unit provides essential viscosity values for pumping-, stirring-, and mixing procedures, only taking up a fraction of operators’ valuable time. On top of that, it also provides a density reading with an accuracy better than 3 digits in order to determine kinematic viscosity. This density value is also sufficient for the determination of filling volumes, for instance.
In the final stage of production, quality control in accordance with all applicable standards is essential: The purity of biodiesel and its byproduct glycerin, the right concentration of all acids and bases used in process, the perfect lubrication behavior and droplet size – it is this exceedingly high raw material and product quality, determined by Anton Paar density meters and viscometers, that turns the yellow gold golden.