Determination of Methanol Content in Biodiesel using Gas Chromatography with Headspace Sampling According to EN-14110

Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils or animal fats via transesterification using methanol to yield Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) and glycerine. The yield, pure FAME (once the glycerine and the residual methanol has been recovered/removed) is called B-100. In order for biodiesel to be used as a motor fuel or blended with petroleum diesel, it must conform to standard specifications (ASTM D 6751 or EN-14214). There are GC methods in use today to determine whether biodiesel conforms to the standard specifications. One of these methods, EN-14110, is used to determine the methanol content. EN-14110 is applicable for a concentration range from 0.01 % (m/m) to 0.5 % (m/m) methanol.