PEFTEC PEFTEC

PEFTEC - Abstract


Abstract Title: Oxygen concentration analysis of biofuel with a reproducibility of ±100 ppm
Abstract Type: Oral
Session Choice: Analytical Techniques: Elemental Analysis and Speciation
Presenter Name: Dr Marc Ruppenthal
Co-authors:Ms Sabine Kraus
Dr Lutz Lange
Dr Hans-Peter Sieper
Company/Organisation: Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH
Country: Germany

Abstract Information :

Oxygen concentration analysis is relevant for the characterization of oxygenated gasoline (typically containing ethanol) and required by regulation bodies to reduce potential carbon monoxide emissions from incomplete gasoline combustion. Furthermore, blends of conventional gasoline with renewable gasoline can be differentiated based on their oxygen concentration.

Oxygen concentration analysis relies on the conversion of sample oxygen to carbon monoxide following the temperature-dependent Boudouard equilibrium, which favors the formation of carbon monoxide over carbon dioxide with increasing temperature during pyrolysis. In the past, the available furnace technologies did not allow temperatures exceeding 1200deg;C during pyrolysis. This was a limitation for highly precise oxygen concentration measurements, because full conversion of sample oxygen to carbon monoxide requires furnace temperatures in excess of 1400deg;C. Using novel furnace technology based on a glassy carbon reaction tube inside a silicon carbide furnace, we are now able to perform pyrolysis at a temperature of 1450deg;C. Full conversion of sample oxygen to carbon monoxide, which is a prerequisite for highly precise and matrix-independent oxygen concentration analyses, is therefore possible. This improvement leads to oxygen concentration analyses with unprecedented precision (reproducibilities of ± 100 ppm can be reached) and convenience.

We present the applicability of the novel oxygen concentration analysis technique based on selected samples of renewable liquid and solid fuels.