Application Note
FluidScan
The FluidScan® is a handheld fluid
analyzer that provides immedi-
ate on-site analysis of critical
biodiesel parameters necessary
for the production and distribu-
tion of high quality biodiesel. The
FluidScan quickly and effectively
measures key quality properties
for incoming inspection, during
biodiesel production as well as at
the final tank.
The FluidScan® analyzes fluids
using infrared spectroscopy, a
technique that has found wide
acceptance as a primary test
for biodiesel quality control.
The small handheld design al-
lows FluidScan to analyze fluid
samples in less than one minute
with accuracy similar to labora-
tory instruments. The FluidScan®
provides immediate on-site
analysis of critical properties in
feedstock, biodiesel product and
diesel/biodiesel blends.
QinetiQ North America
www.SpectroInc.com
FSC-08/ 4 September 2009
Detecting Biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters)
Content in Diesel Fuel by FluidScan IR
Spectroscopy
Introduction
FluidScan provides immediate on-site analysis of critical parameters necessary
for the production and distribution of high quality biodiesel. FluidScan test-
ing is a quick, effective method for measuring key properties from incoming
feedstock inspection, during biodiesel production and through to the final
product.
With a wide range of features, Flu-
idScan has the ability to analyze the
chemical properties of feedstock and
biodiesel, as well as the biodiesel con-
tent in diesel fuel blends as shown in
Figure 1.
This application note is one in a se-
ries that demonstrates FluidScan’s
ability to analyze properties relevant
to biodiesel applications. Measuring
biodiesel (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters or Figure 1, FluidScan Select
FAME) content in diesel fuel is the Fluid Menu
subject of this application note.
The test results presented here show that the FluidScan can accurately measure
biodiesel content over the full range of mixes from 0-100% (B0-B100).
Why Analyze Biodiesel (FAME) Content In Diesel Fuel?
It is often critical to know the percent biodiesel in diesel fuel in a field situa-
tion. The FluidScan can perform this analysis at-site for immediate determi-
nation, eliminating the need to send samples to a laboratory.
Many producers offer blending services and before blending, the petroleum
diesel needs to be checked for biodiesel content. Since the ASTM D 975
specification changed in the fall of 2008, up to 5% biodiesel may be blended
in and advertised as regular diesel. Adding B100 to this fuel will throw off the
blend percent. A recommended practice is to analyze the nature of the regular
diesel and biodiesel before operations, and then measure the final blend for
verification.
There are multiple blending methods, ranging from the simplest (and widely
used) splash blending, to ratio or proportional blending (usually done at a ter-
minal rack). The FluidScan device can be used to monitor blend verification
at different tanks, or rack sections. Page 1
 QinetiQ North America
Application Note
Capability to Identify Biodiesel Content in Diesel Fuel

Controlled blends of biodiesel and ultra low sulfur diesel fuel were generated in the laboratory for
the requirements of the test. Mixes were prepared with volume percent biodiesel from 0.1 to 99.8%
(samples were produced individually, not serially). The pure diesel and biodiesel were also measured.

A calibration was developed using the absorption band for esters at 1744 cm-1. The IR spectra for a
number of blends, as measured by the FluidScan, can be seen in Figure 2.
B0 B0.25 B0.5
1.95 B1 B2.5 B5
B7.5 B8.75 B10
1.75 B11.25 B12.5 B15
B17.5 B20 B25
1.55 B30 B40 B50
B60 B70 B70
1.35 B80 B90 B95
B97 B99 B99.8
Absorbance

1.15

0.95

0.75

0.55

0.35

0.15

-0.05
1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900
-1
Frequency (cm )

Figure 2, FluidScan Calibration Scans

Some procedures for measuring biodiesel blends require

the user to know the approximate percent of the sample
or require multiple runs of the sample using different cal-
ibrations (e.g. ASTM D 7371-07). The FluidScan soft-
ware fully automates this process, recognizes the appro-
priate calibration range for the sample being measured
and reports a single, accurate percent volume biodiesel
as shown in Figure 3. This negates the need for multiple
measurements of the sample and the operator needing to
choose the appropriate result.

The calibration fit for biodiesel content in diesel fuel

blends as measured by the FluidScan can be seen in Fig-
ure 4. The results demonstrate the FluidScan’s ability to
differentiate among the levels and to provide accurate
Figure 3, FluidScan Biodiesel
readings and achieve a linear fit across the full range of
Measurement Results
blends. A limit of detection of 0.4% volume biodiesel
was calculated based on these calibration samples.
160 Ayer Road • Littleton, MA 01460 USA • Tel: (978) 486-0123 • Fax: (978) 486-0030
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QinetiQ North America
• E-mail: sales@spectroinc.com • World Wide Web: www.spectroinc.com
 QinetiQ North America
Application Note
% Volume Biodiesel in Diesel Fuel- Calibration Fit
120

2
R = 0.99
100

FluidScan (% volume biodiesel)

80

60

40

20

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Laboratory Blending (% volume biodiesel)

Figure 4, FluidScan Biodiesel in Diesel Fuel Calibration Fit

Separate sets of biodiesel/diesel fuel mixes were generated and measured to test the robustness of the
calibration on “unknown” samples. Two samples of B100 were obtained from an international supplier
and were produced from atypical feedstocks. These were blended with two alternate, aged diesel fuels
samples to generate a matrix of test samples. The samples were measured on two FluidScan units, to
give a full picture of the reproducibility of the measurement.

Figures 5a and 5b show the excellent correlation obtained from the FluidScan measurements on this
set of “real world” or “unknown” test samples. In Figure 5a, it can be seen that the FluidScan reading
correlate well with the known laboratory blending numbers over the entire range of blends from B0
to B100. The correlation factor is over 99%. Figure 5b shows the same data, highlighting the lower
range of laboratory blends below 15% biodiesel.

% Volume Biodiesel in Diesel Fuel- Test Samples % Volume Biodiesel in Diesel Fuel- Test Samples

14
100
R2 = 0.99 R2 = 0.98
12
FluidScan (% volume biodiesel)
FluidScan (% volume biodiesel)

80
10

60 8

6
40

20
2

0 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Laboratory Blending (% volume biodiesel) Laboratory Blending (% volume biodiesel)

Figures 5a and 5b, FluidScan Biodiesel in Diesel Fuel Correlations to Laboratory Blends
from B0 to B100 (5a) and B0 to B15 (5b)

160 Ayer Road • Littleton, MA 01460 USA • Tel: (978) 486-0123 • Fax: (978) 486-0030
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QinetiQ North America
• E-mail: sales@spectroinc.com • World Wide Web: www.spectroinc.com
Figure 6, FluidScan Biodiesel in Diesel Fuel Correlations to Laboratory Blend
 Innovation, Quality and Support

Conclusion

The tests and data as described in this application note demonstrate that the FluidScan can provide
quality analytical results for biodiesel content in diesel fuel comparable to those provided by laboratory
instruments.

With the FluidScan, these results can be obtained in the field and the measurement are quickly and
clearly displayed to the user. The measurements can be stored, viewed and trended on the device or
exported to a central database. Database software, called FluidScan Manager, is also provided for a
personal computer to store, trend, set alarms, and report all collected data, Figure 6.

The handheld nature of the FluidScan, ease of use, and rapid results make fast, accurate on-site read-
ings of biodiesel content in diesel fuel possible.

Figure 7, FluidScan Manager Database Software

QinetiQ North America

160 Ayer Road • Littleton, MA 01460 USA • Tel: (978) 486-0123 • Fax: (978) 486-0030 Page 4
E-mail: sales@spectroinc.com • World Wide Web: www.spectroinc.com
Spectro Incorporated is an ISO 9001 certified company.