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PITTCON 08 Oral Session
Ion chromatographic determination of anions, cations and organic acids in biofuels
Session Number 1580-11
Abstract
The reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions and the assessment of renewable energy forms are among the most challenging tasks presently facing humanity. In this context biofuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas have emerged as promising alternatives. However, reports highlighting the presence of ions that induce corrosion in the vehicle components in contact with fuel and salt deposits that clog filters and fuel injector nozzles retarded successful commercialization and market acceptance of biofuels. Therefore, standards defining quality specifications and test methods have been developed. In this context ion chromatography (IC) plays a decisive role. Besides the quantitation of cations, glycerol and antioxidants in biodiesel, a direct-injection IC method allows the determination of the chloride and sulfate content in bioethanol according to the recent ASTM standard D 4806. Before symbiotic groups of bacteria can transform complex organic waste material to biogas, hydrolytic and fermentative bacteria have to convert the waste, producing primarily organic acids. Therefore, concentration profiles of the carboxylic acids provide important information regarding the progress of the reaction. However, unlike the above-mentioned direct-injection IC, the analysis of a complex anaerobic digestion matrix requires efficient matrix elimination steps. This poster provides an overview of ion chromatographic methods combined with inline sample preparation for the determination of anions and cations in organic fuels or their process solutions.
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