ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 1 May 2012
Page Count: 8

Easy Ambient Sonic-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry: An Alternative Method to Quantify Organic Impurities in Biodiesel

Alberici, Rosana M.
ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Univ. of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP,
ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Univ. of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP,

de Souza, Vanderlea
National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology - INMETRO, Duque de Caxias, RJ,

Gonçalves, Lenise V.
National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology - INMETRO, Duque de Caxias, RJ,

Cunha, Valnei S.
National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology - INMETRO, Duque de Caxias, RJ,

Eberlin, Marcos N.
ThoMSon Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Univ. of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP,

Daroda, Romeu J.
National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology - INMETRO, Duque de Caxias, RJ,

(Received 22 November 2011; accepted 22 February 2012)

Abstract

In recent years, biodiesel has gained considerable attention because of the increasing concern for the environmental problems associated with the use of fossil fuels. The determination of fuel quality is an issue of great importance to the successful commercialization of biodiesel. According to ASTM and EN standards, the analysis of free and total glycerin, contaminants that can lead to serious engine problems, must be carried out by GC analysis. This work presents an alternative method for identifying and quantifying these major contaminants in biodiesel. EASI(+)-MS has shown to function as a fast and secure method, with little or no sample preparation and no pre-separation.

Keywords:
ambient mass spectrometry, sonic-spray ionization, biodiesel, gas chromatography, free and total glycerin

Paper ID: JAI104552
DOI: 10.1520/JAI104552
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