Biofuels Action and Awareness Network

Microscale component
The microscale component consists of performing analytical quality assurance tests on the product to meet ASTM standards and to provide insight for design and optimization of the macroscale process. We are currently collaborating with Dr. Robert Pomeroy of the UCSD chemistry department for this component.

We are currently looking to increase the size of our microscale biodiesel production from ~200 milliliters to ~1 liters.

We are also focusing on four critical quality tests:

1. D6584 Free and Total Glycerine by gas chromatography
2. D2709 Water and Sediment by Centrifuge
3. D664 Acid Number by Potentiometric Titration
4. D2500 Cloud Point

ASTM tests help to ensure that the triglycerides have undergone full conversion to the ester product which is biodiesel and that there are acceptable levels of contamination including water, sediment, methanol and glycerine.

In the future we will expand to cover all the ASTM quality tests for biodiesel

You can click here for information on biodiesel chemistry.