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Simultaneous gas chromatographic determination of methanol and free glycerol in biodiesel

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Summary

The methanol and free glycerol content of vegetable oil methyl esters used as diesel fuel (biodiesel) is very important in describing the quality of this fuel and is therefore limited by specifications. A previously described GLC method for the determination of free glycerol in biodiesel has been further developed and also allows the simultaneous determination of methanol. Sample preparation includes dissolving in dimethylformamide, silylation with bis-trimethylsilyltrifluoracetamide (BSTFA) and separation on a methylsilicone fluid, coated-capillary column using either FID or MS-detection. Ethanol and 1,4-butanediol were used as internal standards. Both detection systems show sufficient sensitivity for concentrations relevant to biodiesel samples. The recovery was tested using a RME-sample containing known amounts of methanol and glycerol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Organische Chemie, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Heinrichstraße 28, 8010, Graz, Austria

    M. Mittelbach, G. Roth & A. Bergmann

Authors
  1. M. Mittelbach
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  2. G. Roth
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  3. A. Bergmann
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Mittelbach, M., Roth, G. & Bergmann, A. Simultaneous gas chromatographic determination of methanol and free glycerol in biodiesel. Chromatographia 42, 431–434 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02272135

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02272135

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