Comprehensive Biodiesel Gas Chromatography Packages for EN and ASTM Compliance Launched at the National Biodiesel Conference 2008

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., (USA) announced the launch of Biodiesel GC Productivity Solutions for EN/ASTM Gas Chromatography (GC) methods. Designed as a comprehensive set of solutions, the Thermo Scientific Biodiesel GC Productivity Solutions are the only packages available on the market capable of providing this level of integration and productivity for the three most commonly applied GC-based methods: EN 14103 for Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) characterization and linolenic acid methyl ester determination; EN 14105 / ASTM D6584 for free and total glycerine content; EN 14110 for methanol content. Delivering complete automatic characterization of pure biodiesel (B100), the unique Thermo Scientific Biodiesel GC Productivity Solutions offer full compliance with these official standards which aim to certify the quality of pure biodiesel for any commercial trading. The solutions were introduced at the National Biodiesel Conference, Orlando, Florida, February 3-6, 2008 where Thermo Fisher was also a Silver Sponsor. The interest in biodiesel as a clean burning alternative fuel produced from renewable sources has increased tremendously over the last few years, mainly due to its safer environmental impact in comparison with conventional petro-diesel. Offering high productivity and an easy-to-use fully automated comprehensive solution, the Thermo Scientific Biodiesel GC Productivity Solution-EN is developed for use by biodiesel producers and also responds to users needs working in third party certification laboratories looking at applying the EN 14103, EN 14105 / ASTM D6584 and EN 14110 methods. The comprehensive Thermo Scientific package contains everything required to comply with the official methods stated above, including a full set of reagents and consumables enabling the instant certification of biodiesel sample quality. The package consists of a Thermo Scientific TRACE GC Ultra equipped with an On-column inlet and flame ionization detector (FID) used to run EN 14105 or ASTM D6584. The inlet is a true cold on-column injector, granting total recovery of heavy components like triglycerides and prevents any further risk of degradation of such labile substances. A low dead volume purged metal tee has been specifically designed to ensure leak-free operations at very high oven temperatures, avoiding the use of less suitable glass press-fits. A second Thermo Scientific TRACE GC Ultra, equipped with a PTV-backflush plus FID to run the EN 14103, is also included. The backflush capability removes the heavier compounds and prevents themfromentering and contaminating the column, thus extending its lifetime. The same GC is also equipped with a split/splitless injection port and second FID channel to determine methanol content according to the headspace method EN 14110. The headspace method is fully automated by the Thermo Scientific TriPlus HS autosampler, using a gas-tight syringe approach.
The package also includes a Thermo Scientific TriPlusTM autosampler, to enable the automation of all the sampling methods on the two GC systems through two independent communication ports. This results in the liquid and headspace sampling techniques running with the quick replacement of the sampling turret. A Thermo Scientific data system (either ChromCard or ChromQuest), which controls the instruments and generates comprehensive reports with the shortest possible learning curve is also included. Finally, the Biodiesel Consumables Kit, which includes three capillary columns and reagents, as well as the calibration standards needed to set-up the methods completes the package.
A complete Biodiesel GC Productivity Solution-ASTMsolely dedicated tomethod ASTMD6584 is also available for the Thermo Scientific TRACE GC Ultra. This package provides a single-method solution for laboratories seeking to specialize in biodiesel analyses according to the ASTM method, or whose needs are limited to that methodology. This complete package also comes with everything required to easily implement ASTM D6584 on the TRACE GC Ultra, including a consumables kit.