The Biodiesel project led by SOVENA Oilseeds was successfully completed

The project started in 2007 with the beginning of biodiesel production by SOVENA Oilseeds with the aim of developing a method for fast analysis of fatty acid methyl esters, mono-, di- and triglycerides, humidity, glycerol and methanol, in biodiesel, during the routine quality control of production. This need is understandable considering that biodiesel to be commercially available must meet strict regulated quality specifications defined by European standards using time consuming methods. Biodiesel samples from SOVENA Oilseeds production from different vegetable oils and samples prepared in iBET were used to implement representative data bases, based on analysis performed with Fourier Transform Infrared with Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR). Chemometric analyses were applied in order to validate methods and to conclude about its applicability. The implemented methods for the screening of the six parameters were installed in the biodiesel factory in 2008. From that time on the data bases have been monitored in SOVENA Oilseeds by iBET and changes were made in order to achieve results closer to the reference values. The data bases have now around 1000 spectra of samples being fully applicable for quality control of biodiesel produced from several vegetable oils like soybean, sunflower, rapeseed oils, as well as palm oil that was introduced in 2011. The user-friendly characteristics of the equipment and the methods allow its usage by non-specialized operators and the obtention of fast results with low costs.