Significance and Use
5.1 Biodiesel is a fuel commodity primarily used as a value-added blending component with diesel fuel.
5.2 This test method is applicable for quality control in the production and distribution of diesel fuel and biodiesel blends containing FAME.
5.3 The use of triglycerides in fuels is not approved for transportation applications within any ASTM specification. This test method allows the quantification of triglyceride concentration in biodiesel blends, thus enabling detection of out-of-specification blending.
5.4 This test method is fast, simple to run, inexpensive and requires no sample preparation.
Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) biodiesel and triglyceride (TAG) concentrations in traditional diesel and renewable diesel fuel blends using a portable mid-infrared spectrometer.
1.2 The method applies to samples with biodiesel concentrations from 3 % to 40 % by volume. Additionally, it applies to samples with biodiesel concentrations from 2 % to 27 % by volume which contain triglycerides concentrations from 1 % to 10 % by volume. Triglycerides from 2 % to 10 % by volume can be determined in samples of diesel having biodiesel concentrations from 3 % to 27 % by volume. FAME and triglyceride can be simultaneously determined outside these stated ranges, but the stated precision estimates do not apply.
1.3 The method is not able to distinguish TAG and FAME if the TAG concentrations is below 0.142× the measured FAME concentrations.
1.4 This procedure is not appropriate for the determination of the concentration of biodiesel in the form of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), see Section 6 for further discussion of possible interferences.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
