3/27 test

Introduction

This test was originally devised by Jan Warnqvist as a simple check for biodiesel quality.

The test

Typically a sample of fuel is taken from the processor while the pump is still running, and settled for a few minutes so that the majority of the Glycerol in the mix drops to the bottom of the sample.

A 3ml sample is then taken from the top of this for testing. It is mixed with 27ml of Methanol at 20C and shaken. After settling for ten minutes, if there is any drop out at the bottom, then the sample contained unconverted vegetable oil.

How it works

The test works because of the difference in solubility of vegetable oil and biodiesel in Methanol:

• Biodiesel is soluble
• Glycerol is soluble
• Monoglycerides and Diglycerides (partly converted vegetable oil) is partially soluble
• Vegetable oil (Triglycerides) is insoluble

When mixed, any remaining vegetable oil, which is denser than Methanol, will drop to the bottom.

Any volumes can be used so long as the ratio is 1:10. 5/45 are also common quantities.

Trace Glycerol may be present in the 3ml sample, but this won't affect the test, as it too is soluble in Methanol.

Qualitative not quantitative

Many brewers assume that by measuring the amount of vegetable oil that has dropped out, they can calculate the percentage of unconverted oil in the batch. This is, however, not strictly correct, as the 3ml sample will contain a small amount of Glycerol and between approximately 22% and 12.5% Methanol, depending on how much has been used by the reaction.

For this reason the test is considered qualitative - whether the conversion is complete or not - and not quantitive, as the percentage remaining unconverted is only approximate.

Clear pass

Perfectly converted fuel will give a "clear pass" where the liquid is transparent, regardless of the Methanol temperature.

Cloudy liquid at 20C is considered a pass, but may contain mono and diglycerides. Drop out may be seen if the sample cools.