All-inclusive analysis kits for fuels

Fuel analysis kits at a glance

The requirements for fuel quality and quality testing are defined by DIN, ISO or ASTM, depending on the product. 

OELCHECK  offers comprehensive analysis of the following product groups:

For conventional fossil diesel fuels, including blends with up to 7% biodiesel, such as B7:
> All-inclusive  analysis kits for diesel fuels (KD)

For pure biodiesel (FAME), also known as B100:
> All-inclusive analysis kits for biodiesel (KB)

Note:
Diesel fuel containing biodiesel can be affected by bacteria, often referred to as 'diesel pest'. These bacteria multiply in the boundary area between the fuel and the free water that collects at the bottom of the tank.

Frequent clogging of fuel filters and lines, sludge-like deposits in the tank and loss of engine power are typical signs of bacterial contamination, i.e. 'diesel pest'. The additional OELCHECK contamination test quickly clarifies whether bacteria or fungi have formed in the fuel.

The oxidation stability required by the standard is often of particular interest in storage tanks. The required oxidation stability for diesel fuel is specified in DIN EN 590, and the required oxidation stability for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is specified in DIN EN 14214. The OELCHECK sample bottle measures this using the relevant procedure in accordance with the EN 15751 Rancimat method.

Diesel, especially that containing biodiesel (FAME, fatty acid methyl ester), tends to age. This oxidation can lead to the formation of acids, resins and deposits that can damage filters, injection systems and engine components.

For synthetic diesel and E-fuels:
> All-inclusive  analysis kits for diesel fuels (KD)

DIN EN 15940 is the European standard for paraffinic diesel fuels produced by synthesis or hydrogenation processes. It sets out the requirements and test methods for diesel fuels that do not originate from conventional mineral oil refining processes.

There are still 1.4 billion passenger cars and a vast number of commercial vehicles with combustion engines on the road worldwide. Although the largest CO₂ emissions occur during a vehicle's production, it should be powered by alternative, CO₂-neutral fuels wherever possible. To defossilise the operation of these vehicles, so-called e-fuels or synthetic fuels are becoming an increasingly popular choice. They are playing an increasingly important role in climate protection, which is why OELCHECK offers all-inclusive analyses for synthetic diesel fuels in its sample bottle. 

Synthetic fuels are produced through a chemical process called synthesis and can come from a variety of sources:

• GTL (gas-to-liquids fuel) is an alternative synthetic diesel fuel. It is derived from natural gas. It burns much cleaner than conventional diesel, releasing significantly fewer dust and nitrogen oxide emissions. GTL has a high cetane number (75–80), offering better ignition and combustion quality than fossil diesel. When CO₂ is used as the carbon source to produce hydrocarbons instead of natural gas, the resulting fuel is known as e-diesel. This process is effectively CO₂-neutral, as the required CO₂ can be obtained from the air or captured from an industrial process. This means that no ‘new’ CO₂ is released from fossil sources, as the ‘existing’ CO₂ can be reused in a circular process.
• HVO is based on hydrogenated vegetable oils, which are converted into hydrocarbons via a catalytic reaction involving hydrogen. It is a second-generation biofuel. The result is 100% fossil-free diesel made exclusively from renewable raw materials. Compared to conventional diesel, HVO can reduce an engine's CO₂ emissions by 65 to 90%. 

Paraffinic diesel fuel according to EN 15940 differs significantly from conventional diesel according to EN 590. While EN 590 may contain up to 7% FAME (biodiesel), EN 15940 is completely FAME-free. This results in differences in the fuels' cetane number and density. EN 15940 also has advantages in terms of sulphur content, which is significantly lower than that of EN 590. There are also differences in cold behaviour (CFPP). Seasonal classes are specified for EN 590, whereas the specifications for EN 15940 can be adjusted depending on the manufacturing process.

For conventional standard heating oil EL and low-sulphur heating oil EL:
> All-inclusive  analysis kits for diesel fuels (KD)

For standard heating oil EL and low-sulphur heating oil EL, we recommend the 3KD kit.

Why is it important to have your fuel analysed regularly?

Regular fuel analysis are a valuable tool for incoming goods and overall quality control. 

They can also detect any contamination that may affect the operation of filters, injectors and other components. 

In practical terms, too, the principle of getting all your analysis kits from a single source simplifies the invoicing modalities and helps you maintain a clear overview of your costs.