Determining Free and Total Glycerin in B100 Biodiesel Methyl Esters by GC
In the manufacture of biodiesel fuel, triglycerides are split into their monoalkyl ester components via transesterification. The fatty acid monoalkyl esters can be used as fuel in diesel engines. Amounts of free glycerin and total glycerin indicate the quality of the conversion of the oil or fat to monoalkyl esters. D6584-00 and DIN EN14105 are test methods for quantitative determination of free glycerin, total glycerin, and mono-, di-, and triglycerides in biodiesel fuel methyl esters by GC, after silylation of the sample with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA).