3/27 test
Introduction
This test was originally devised by Jan Warnqvist as a simple check for biodiesel quality.
Contents
The test
Typically a beaker 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.
A 3ml sample is then taken from the top of the beaker for testing. It is mixed with 27ml of Methanol at 20°C 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) are 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 1:9 sample to Methanol. 5/45 also represents common quantities used for this test.
Trace Glycerol may be present in the 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 sample will contain a small amount of Glycerol and between approximately 22% and 9% 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, however people are getting very good results using the no titration methode which determines catalyst quantity based on drop out from this test.
Clear pass
Perfectly converted fuel will give a "clear pass" where the liquid is transparent, regardless of the Methanol temperature.
Cloudy liquid with no drop out at 20C is considered a pass, but may contain mono and diglycerides. Drop out may be seen if the liquid cools.
The only caveat with using Methanol cooler than 20C is that (depending on feedstock) even completely converted biodiesel may wax and also give the appearance of drop-out as a result. For corn and rapeseed oils this is quite light in colour and distinguishable from unprocessed oil, however solidifying palm oil is quite dark and the distinction may not be so obvious.
