The European standard EN 14214 specifies requirements and test methods for marketed and delivered fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) to be used either as automotive fuel at 100% concentration, or as an extender for automotive fuel for diesel engines.
STANDARD REQUIREMENTS OF EN 14214
Density.
Density increases with a decrease in chain length and unsaturation. This can impact on fuel consumption as fuel introduced into the combustion chamber is determined volumetrically.
Viscosity.
Increase in viscosity results in poor atomization and incomplete combustion which leads to coking of injector tips. Viscosity decreases with unsaturation, but increases markedly with contamination by mono, di or tri glycerides.
Glycerides.
High glyceride content implies low conversion to ester and deposit formation on injectors and valves.
Ester content.
This is measured using gas chromatography and is restricted to ester and deposit falling within the C14 - C24 range. It is ultimately a test for reaction conversion.
Methanol Content.
Methanol can be removed from FAME by washing. High methanol contents pose safety risks due to its very low flash point.
Acid Value.
Acid value is a measure of mineral acids and free fatty acids. High fuels acidity is linked with corrosion and engine deposits.
Iodine Value.
Iodine number is a measure of total unsaturation within the FAME product. High iodine is related to polymerisation of fuels, leading to injector fouling.
Centane Number.
This serves as a measure of ignition quality. Fuels with low centane number show an increase in emissions due to incomplete combustion.
Water Content.
Free water promotes biological growth and the reserves reaction turning bio diesel to free fatty acids.
The entire Biodiesel we manufacture is produced to the European standard En14214.
Certificates of analysis are available for each batch produced.
Testing Equipment.
Water content is measured with Karl Fischer titration to ensure that the Biodiesel complies with EN14214, and is below 500mg/kg.
