Summary of the current Biodiesel Fuel Quality Standard
The biodiesel standard is summarised in the following table. The information contained in the following pages is of a general nature only and should be read in conjunction with the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001 and the Fuel Standard (Biodiesel) Determination 2003. Fuel suppliers may wish to seek legal advice about their obligations under this legislation.
See also:
| Parameter | Standard | Test Method | Date of effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfur | 50 mg/kg (max) 10 mg/kg (max) |
ASTM D5453 | 18 Sep 2003 1 Feb 2006 |
| Density | 860 to 890 kg/m 3 | ASTM D1298 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Distillation T90 | 360C (max) | ASTM D1160 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Sulfated ash | 0.020% mass (max) | ASTM D874 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Viscosity | 3.5 to 5.0 mm 2 /s @ 40°C | ASTM D445 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Flashpoint | 120.0°C (min) | ASTM D93 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Carbon residue (10% distillation residue) |
0.30 % mass (max) | ASTM D4530 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Water and sediment | 0.050 % vol (max) | ASTM D2709 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Ester content 2 | 96.5 % (m/m) (min) | EN 14103 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Phosphorus | 10 mg/kg (max) | EN 14107 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Acid value | 0.80 mg KOH/g (max) | ASTM D664 | 18 Sep 2003 |
| Total contamination | 24 mg/kg (max) | EN 12662 | 18 Sep 2004 |
| Free glycerol | 0.020 % mass (max) | ASTM D6584 | 18 Sep 2004 |
| Total glycerol | 0.250 % mass (max) | ASTM D6584 | 18 Sep 2004 |
| Oxidation stability | 6 hours @ 110°C (min) | EN 14112 prEN 15751 |
18 Sep 2004 |
| Metals | ≤ 5mg/kg Group I (Na, K) ≤ 5mg/kg Group II (Ca, Mg) |
EN 14538 (Group I) EN 14538 (Group II) |
18 Sep 2004 |
| Methanol Content | ≤ 0.20%(m/m) | EN 14110 | 18 Dec 2004 |
| Copper strip corrosion (3 hrs @50°C) | if the biodiesel contains no more than 10 mg/kg of sulfur - Class 1 (max) if the biodiesel contains more than 10 mg/kg of sulfur - No. 3 (max) |
EN ISO 2160 ASTM D130 ASTM D130 |
18 Dec 2004 |
| Cetane number or Derived cetane number | 51.0 (min) | ASTM D613 ASTM D6890 |
18 Sep 2005 |
2 If biodiesel contains C-17 methyl esters, the ester content may be measured by using the modified procedure set out in S.Schober, I.Seidl and M. Mittelbach, Ester content evaluation in biodiesel from animal fats and lauric oils, European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology 108 (2006) 309-314.