SGS fuel analysis – Biofuel FAME EN 14214

Biofuel is a form of renewable energy derived from a wide range of biomass-based products. There are currently two main forms: bioethanol and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME). The FAME is produced by extracting vegetable oil from various plants; such as switchgrass, and then esterifying it.


The FAME is blended with gasoline and diesel to produce biofuels, which can be used in unmodified engines.

In November 2020, the independent and accredited laboratory SGS analyzed a sample of Biofuel (pure bioheating oil) treated with the XBEE Enzyme Fuel Technology. The analysis demonstrated that such fuel, also known as FAME or B100, remains in compliance with the EN 14214 standard.

Analyses

Methods

Without XBEE

With XBEE

Units

Limits

Ester content in FAME by GC
· Ester content
· Saturated ester content


EN 14103


97.3
13.6


97.6
13.5


mass %


96.5 min
16.0 max

Kinematic viscosity at 40°C

EN ISO 3104

4.448

4.448

mm²/s

3.50 - 5.00

Density at 15°C

EN ISO 12185

882.8

883.0

kg/m³

860 - 900

Flash point closed cup (cor.)

EN ISO 3679

162.0

157.0

°C

101 min

Cetane number (measured)

EN ISO 5165

55.4

55.1

51.0 min

Copper corrosion (3h at 50°C)

EN ISO 2160

1

1

Class 1

Introduction period
Temperature

EN 15751

14.1
+110

15.3
+110

Hours
°C

8.0 min

Acid number

EN 14104

0.38

0.40

mgKOH/g

0.50 max

Iodine Value

EN 14111

103

104

g/100 g

120 max

Linolenic acid methyl ester content

EN 14103

6.0

6.0

mass %

12.0 max

Polyunsaturated FAME content (PUFA)

EN 15779

0.69

0.70

mass %

1.0 max

Methanol

EN 14110

0.04

0.05

mass %

0.20 max

· Monoglyceride
· Diglyceride
· Triglyceride
· Free glycerol
· Total glycerol



EN 14105

0.38
<0.10
<0.10
0.018
0.119

0.26
<0.10
<0.10
0.001
0.070



mass %

0.70 max
0.20 max
0.20 max
0.02 max
0.25 max

Water content

EN ISO 12937

0.035

0.035

mass %

0.050 max

Total contamination

EN 12662

24.0

23.5

mg/kg

24.0 max

Sulfated ash

NF ISO 3987

<0.005

<0.005

mass %

0.02 max

Sulphur content

EN ISO 20846

5.2

5.2

mg/kg

10.0 max

Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium by ICP OES
· Calcium
· Magnesium
· Calcium + magnesium
· Sodium
· Potassium
· Sodium + potassium




EN 14538


<1.0
<1.0
<1.0
<1.0
<1.0
<1.0


<1.0
<1.0
<1.0
<1.0
<1.0
<1.0




mg/kg




5.0 max


Phosphorus

EN 14107

<4.0

<4.0

mg/kg

4.0 max

Cloud point

EN ISO 3015

-4

-4

°C

0 max

Cold filter plugging point

EN 116

-10

-11

°C

-5 max

Although the results remain humble, it is interesting to observe that XBEE helped to reduce total contamination by 2.1%. Cold filter plugging point is more remarkably improved by 10%.