Determination of oxidation stability by accelerated oxidation method of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) fuel and blends with diesel fuel

Range: 0,5-60

Unit: h

Objects: fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) fuel and blends with diesel fuel

His European Standards specifies a test method for determination the oxidation stability of Fuels for diesel engines. The methods are applicable to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) intended for use as pure biofuel (EN 14112, EN 15751) or as a blending component for diesel fuels, and to blends of FAME and petroleum-based diesel containing 2 volume percentage of FAME at minimum (EN 15751).

Summary of Test Method: A stream of purified air is passed through the sample which has been brought to a specified temperature. The vapours released during the oxidation process, together with the air, are passed into a flask containing water which has been demineralized or distilled and contains an electrode for measuring the conductivity. The electrode is connected to a measuring and recording device. It indicates the end of the induction period when the conductivity begins to increase rapidly. This accelerated increase is caused by the dissociation of volatile carboxylic acids produced during the oxidation process and absorbed in the water.

Requirements for oxidation stability according to EN 590 (diesel) and EN 14214 (FAME) are:

- for diesel: min. 20 h,

- for FAME: min. 8 h.