What this product reference covers.
Biodiesel is a fuel composed principally of mono-alkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids and is supplied neat or as a blend component under a defined specification.
Products within the family.
Names used in commerce can overlap. Use the nominated standard and exact grade rather than relying on a generic product label.
B100 neat biodiesel
B100 neat biodiesel is a recognised biodiesel category whose exact composition, grade limits and suitability must be confirmed from the governing specification and equipment requirement.
FAME blend component
FAME blend component is a recognised biodiesel category whose exact composition, grade limits and suitability must be confirmed from the governing specification and equipment requirement rather than inferred from the generic label.
Low-level diesel blends
Low-level diesel blends is a recognised biodiesel category whose exact composition, grade limits and suitability must be confirmed from the governing specification and equipment requirement rather than inferred from the generic label.
Higher biodiesel blends
Higher biodiesel blends is a recognised biodiesel category whose exact composition, grade limits and suitability must be confirmed from the governing specification and equipment requirement rather than inferred from the generic label.
What the product is built from.
| Component | Technical role |
|---|---|
| Hydrocarbon or renewable blendstocks | Set volatility, density, ignition, energy and cold-flow behaviour. |
| Performance additives | May support stability, detergency, lubricity, conductivity or low-temperature operation. |
| Oxygenate / biocomponent where specified | Changes combustion, water response, oxidation and material compatibility. |
| Unwanted water, sediment or cross-product material | Contaminants can alter safety, operability and specification results. |
Define the decision before selecting the panel.
- 01
Confirm new biodiesel identity, grade and fitness for the intended application.
- 02
Detect contamination, degradation, mixing or storage-related change.
- 03
Investigate abnormal equipment, combustion, filtration or handling behaviour.
- 04
Establish a representative baseline for later comparison.
- 05
Support specification, maintenance and root-cause decisions with corroborated evidence.
What each result contributes.
“High” and “low” are directional investigation prompts, not pass/fail decisions. Corroborate them using the correct specification, baseline and companion evidence.
Open ASTM, ISO, IS/BIS, DIN and companion methods →| Test / parameter | Typical methods | Why it matters | Possible causes when high | Possible causes when low |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density / relative density | ASTM D4052 / ISO 12185 | Supports identity, blending, quantity conversion and energy-related calculations. | Heavier components, oxidation residue, contamination or the wrong grade. | Lighter blendstock, volatile contamination, dilution or a different grade. |
| Distillation / volatility | ASTM D86 / ISO 3405 or product-specific method | Describes boiling distribution, evaporation and compositional change. | Heavy-end contamination, residue, weathering or off-grade blending. | Light-end enrichment, solvent contamination or a lighter product. |
| Flash point | ASTM D93 / ISO 2719 or product-specific method | Screens volatile contamination and supports safe handling. | Loss of light ends, heavier composition or method difference. | Petrol, solvent or other volatile contamination; incorrect product. |
| Water and sediment | ASTM D6304 plus product-appropriate sediment methods | Identifies corrosion, filtration, combustion, microbial and storage risks. | Condensation, tank bottoms, delivery contamination, leakage or poor housekeeping. | Dry handling and separation; an unrepresentative sample can under-report. |
| Sulfur / composition markers | ASTM D5453 / D4294 / product specification | Supports grade identity, emissions and contamination assessment. | Wrong grade, cross-contamination or unsuitable blendstock. | Lower-sulfur material, dilution or a different approved formulation. |
| FAME / biodiesel content | EN 14078 infrared; validated chromatography | Confirms biodiesel blend level and supports oxidation, water and cold-flow risk assessment. | Higher blend, cross-contamination or wrong grade. | Lower blend, hydrocarbon dilution, phase loss or wrong product. |
| Free and total glycerin | ASTM D6584; EN 14105 | Assesses biodiesel conversion and purification; glycerides and glycerol can form deposits and filter blockage. | Incomplete conversion, poor purification, contamination or off-spec blend component. | Effective conversion and purification; dilution with petroleum diesel can also lower concentration. |
| Oxidation stability | EN 15751 / EN 14112; ASTM D7462 as applicable | Assesses resistance of biodiesel-containing fuel to oxidation and deposit/acid formation. | Report as longer induction period: stronger stability or fresh antioxidant-treated fuel. | Ageing, heat, air, catalytic metals, light exposure or unstable feedstock. |
| Cold-flow properties | ASTM D6371 / EN 116 CFPP; ASTM D2500 cloud point; ASTM D97 pour point | Assesses wax crystallisation and filterability during low-temperature storage and operation. | Report as warmer temperature: waxier blend, unsuitable seasonal grade, contamination or biodiesel influence. | Report as colder temperature: improved low-temperature blend or additive response. |
| Ignition quality / cetane | ASTM D613; ASTM D6890; EN 15195 | Supports diesel ignition delay, combustion quality and grade identity. | Higher-cetane blendstock or ignition improver; a high result is not automatically beneficial beyond equipment need. | Low-cetane components, off-grade blending, degradation or contamination with poor-ignition material. |
| Fuel lubricity / HFRR | ASTM D6079; ISO 12156-1 | Evaluates boundary lubrication relevant to diesel fuel pumps and injectors. | For wear-scar diameter: inadequate lubricity, low-polarity fuel, contamination or insufficient additive. | For wear-scar diameter: stronger lubricity response; result depends on method conditioning and temperature. |
Condition-monitoring application.
Once the product is in service, the question changes from “does it meet a product requirement?” to “what has changed, why, how confident are we and what action is proportionate?”
- 01Use a stable, representative sampling point and document operating hours, top-ups, transfers and maintenance.
- 02Trend method-consistent results rather than treating one value as a complete diagnosis.
- 03Separate new-product conformance from in-service condition and machine-wear questions.
- 04Escalate correlated evidence and rate of change; confirm surprising results before major action.