AGQM opens new round of no-harm tests for biodiesel additives

The German biodiesel quality management association (AGQM) has launched a new round of tests for oxidation stabilizers and flow improvers for biodiesel.

Registration for the current no-harm test round is open until Jan. 12. 

A variety of different additives are used in fuels, from fossil to sustainable, with the aim of positively influencing their properties.

When using additives, care must be taken to avoid negative interactions with the fuel and other additives.

So-called no-harm tests have been developed to test the additives. 

AGQM has been offering no-harm tests for biodiesel additives since 2008.

Antioxidants and flow improvers that have successfully passed the respective no-harm test are published on the globally recognized no-harm lists, which are available free of charge.

“Antioxidants have always been used in biodiesel to effectively prevent oxidation processes and ensure the stability of the biodiesel over a longer period of time,” said Katharina Friedrich, AGQM quality manager. “In addition, flow improvers are also used in biodiesel to ensure low-temperature operability. Due to our demanding no-harm tests, those additives can be identified which successfully fulfill all no-harm criteria and can therefore be used safely in biodiesel.”

The no-harm test for antioxidants for biodiesel as a diesel-fuel component provides for the testing of minimum requirements (B100), interaction tests (B100), engine-oil compatibility, filtration properties and an engine test with B10 fuel. 

The antioxidants for biodiesel as a heating-oil component are examined in the second no-harm test in a B20 fuel.

The minimum requirements are extended, and the interaction test is tightened while, at the same time, the test for engine-oil compatibility and the engine test are omitted in the heating-oil sector. 

In the third no-harm test, flow improvers for biodiesel are subjected to a similar program as the antioxidants, whereby emulsion, foaming and corrosion properties are additionally examined.  

Registration to have additives tested is available until Jan. 12. For more information, email info@agqm-biodiesel.de. 

No-harm lists and further information on the individual no-harm tests can be found on the AGQM website.

AGQM is an organization founded by leading companies of the German biodiesel industry.

As a technical association, AGQM predominantly deals with all issues concerning the quality management of biodiesel and its byproducts.