Atmosphere

Fuel quality

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:

Biodiesel Standard
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.