There are several methods that I've read small bits about that use chemestry to determine the amount of glycerine. The AOCS has one that is referanced quite a bit if you look hard it is method Ca 14-56. That is called the iodmetric method, and to what i can tell is the best one except for Gas Chromatograph. There is also several other methods. The most basic method i know of which does work very well is jan's methanol test from journey to forever. If you perform this test with pure oil 100% of the oil will drop out of the methanol and people have had their biodiesel tested and compared the results to the methanol test which prove to be almost 100% accurate. I am setting up for production of biodiesel for sale. I have a 600 gallon every other day capacity at the moment, but have just gotten out my first lot of collection containers last week. it will be a small amount of time before i can make big batches. My previous sources only account for about 100 gallons a month. as i get a first complete batch done i want to test it as well as i can before sending in a sample. i want my first and every other sample sent in for testing to be within specs.
If i had a test i can perform in house that is very accurate i can help ensure every batch i produce meets spec. As with all major fuel processing plants they have set procedures writen in great detail and every batch is done as close to the same. They only fully test a small aount of the fuel produced and on a regular basis. They might test every batch, but they dont run the entire range of tests. I have talked to www.biodieseltesting.com quitre a bit about setting up a regular testing schedule. As time goes on and the company grows i will add the equipment to do all the testing in house or as much as is feesably possiable.
Logan Vilas
