893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimat Standard compliant determination of the oxidation stability of biodiesel and biodiesel blends The 893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimat and StabNet in brief 02 The 893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimat, in conjunction The StabNet software meets all the requirements of mod-with StabNet software, is a modern analytical system for ern analytical software. Apart from acquiring and evalu-easy and reliable determination of the oxidation stability ating data automatically, the database enables managing of biodiesel and biodiesel blends according to standards large volumes of data comfortably. User administration EN 14112 and EN 15751. with freely configurable access rights and automatic back up functions ensure a high level of data security. The 893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimat is controlled from the PC by way of StabNet software. Determination itself, however, can be started very conveniently directly on the instrument. Each measuring position has its own individual start button. In addition, the integral color display provides an overview of the status of each individual measuring position. Disposable reaction vessels reduce the cleaning of accessories to a minimum, thereby saving time and cost. The most important applications • Oxidation stability of biodiesel according to EN 14112 or EN 15751 • Oxidation stability of biodiesel blends according to EN 15751 • Oxidation stability of biolubricants • Oxidation stability of light heating oil (with copper catalyst) 03 The most important advantages at a glance The instrument • All instrument functions controlled via PC • Separate starting of each measuring position directly on the instrument • Overview of the status of all measuring positions on the instrument display • Unparalleled reliability and simple operation due to unique accessories - Affordable disposable glass parts - Robust conductivity cells with electrical connections integrated in the reaction vessel cover • 2 heating blocks with 8 measuring positions per instrument. Up to 4 instruments can be connected to 1 PC The software • Clearly laid-out user interface • Database with flexible filtering, sorting and statistical functions • High transparency of results due to - storage of all determination, method and instrument parameters - storage of the history for reevaluation or recalculation of measurement data • High level of data security due to manipulation-proof database and automatic backup functions • Network-compatible due to client-server functionality • User administration with freely configurable access rights • Meets all the requirements of FDA and GLP Oxidation stability of biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters, FAME) and biodiesel blends 04 The use of alternative fuels made from renewable plant criterion for biodiesel and is determined regularly during sources has become more widespread in recent years and the production process. The 893 Professional Biodiesel is likely to increase in the future. Besides other alterna-Rancimat is the instrument of choice to determine the tive fuels such as ethanol, methanol or biogas (methane), oxidation stability of biodiesel simply and reliably. fatty acid methyl esters − also known as biodiesel, RME (rapeseed oil methyl esters) and FAME − have become During measurement a stream of air is passed through another important renewable energy source. Fatty acid the fatty acid methyl ester sample contained in a closed methyl esters are usually obtained from oil seeds and are and heated reaction vessel. This treatment results in oxi-used automotive fuel either in their pure form or mixed dation of the alkyl ester molecules in the sample, with with conventional diesel fuel as biodiesel blends. peroxides initially being formed as the primary oxidation products. After some time the fatty acid methyl esters Biodiesel is usually produced from vegetable oils, but ani-begin to decompose, and the secondary oxidation prod-mal fats or waste products from the production or pro-ucts thus formed include low-molecular organic acids cessing of foods can also be used. The oil is transesterified such as, acetic acid and formic acid in addition to other with methanol in a catalyzed process. This produces the volatile organic compounds. These are transported by the methyl esters of the fatty acids present in the oil together airstream to a second vessel containing distilled water, with glycerol as a by-product. Fatty acid methyl esters where the conductivity is measured continuously. The or-are relatively unstable in storage, as like all natural oils ganic acids can be detected by the increase in conductiv-and fats they are slowly oxidized by atmospheric oxygen. ity. The time that elapses until these secondary reaction The substances thus produced may cause motor dam-products appear is called induction time or induction pe-age. This is why oxidation stability is an important quality riod and characterizes the quality of the sample. 05 Standards The oxidation stability of fatty acid methyl esters and their mixtures with diesel fuels is an important standard parameter in a series of standards defining the minimum quality requirements of biodiesel that is marketed as vehicle fuel or heating oil. • ASTM D 6751 (ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials) «Standard specification for biodiesel fuel blend stock (B100) for middle distillate fuels» • ASTM D 7467 «Standard specification for diesel fuel oil, biodiesel blend (B6 to B20)» • EN 14214 «Automotive fuels – Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for diesel engines – Requirements and test methods» • EN 14213 «Heating fuels – Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) – Requirements and test methods» • EN 14112 «Fat and oil derivatives – Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) – Determination of oxidation stability (accelerated oxidation test)» • EN 15751 «Automotive fuels – Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) fuel and blends with diesel fuel – Determination of oxidation stability by accelerated oxidation method» • EN 590 «Automotive fuels – Diesel – Requirements and test methods» The 893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimat in detail 06 Start buttons on the instrument Next to each measuring position there is a button with which determination can be started immediately after the sample has been placed in the heating block. The start button is completely sealed on the outside, so no liquids such as sample or water can enter. Triggering is 07 achieved with the help of capacitive finger detection and also works with gloves. Instrument display The status of the instrument and of each individual measuring position can be watched on the color instrument display. It shows the current temperature of the two heating blocks, the gas flow, the status of the measuring position and the conductivity measured in each measuring position. Easy handling of the reaction vessels Preparation of the reaction vessel, weighing-out of the sample and closing of the reaction vessel are very simple and safe. The use of disposable glass parts means there is no need for time-consuming cleaning after measuring. That not only saves working time and costs, but also im-proves the reproducibility of the measurement results, as new, clean measuring vessels prevent carryover effects and consequent interference with results. Cover with built-in conductivity cell The conductivity cell, with its electrical connections, is incorporated in the measuring vessel cover. When the cover is placed in position, the cell is immersed in the water and is immediately in the right position. At the same time electrical contact is made to the measuring electronics in the instrument. The conductivity cell itself is a robust stainless steel electrode that withstands even thorough cleaning with detergent and a brush or a wash cycle in the laboratory glassware washer without dam-age. The cleaning of a conductivity electrode has never been easier. Air supply The air used for measuring is drawn in through a filter by the integral pump and water vapor is removed by means of a molecular sieve. The gas flow to the various measuring positions is controlled within the range of 1 L/h and 25 L/h according to the method settings in StabNet. Connections The 893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimat is connected to the PC by way of a USB port. Up to four 893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimats can be connected to a PC and controlled by StabNet. StabNet – modern software for stability measurements 08 StabNet is the modern and user-friendly software for carrying out stability measurements and archiving the measurement data. The characteristic features of StabNet are its ease of use and fl exibility. This is evident already in the «Workplace» part of the program, where the day-to-day work is done. Here users will fi nd all the elements that are needed to carry out determinations. The structure of the «Workplace» shows the setup of the 893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimat with its 2 heating blocks and the 8 measuring positions. 09 For each heating block it is possible to load an individual heating can also be started automatically, and very con-method in which, amongst other things, the tempera-veniently, at a defined time with the help of a timer; the ture and gas flow are defined. The heating is switched instrument will then be ready for use right on the start of on manually in the «Workplace» part of the program. The the working day. For each measuring position on the instrument there is the already detected end points. The sample identifica-a live display in the «Workplace» part of the program. tion and other information about the sample can be en-The flashing Start/Stop button indicates a determination tered in up to 4 fields. Frequently recurring identifications is running. From the corresponding live curve it is possible can be stored as text templates and can then be simply to see directly the current status of the determination and selected on the «Workplace». The symbols in the StabNet toolbar on the left edge of cause of the clear symbols and the well laid-out structure the program provide access to the other parts of the pro-the user interface is easy to follow and can be operated gram: «Configuration», «Method» and «Database». Be-intuitively. Data management 10 Completed determinations are stored in a database. In the «Database» part of the program it is possible to view the determinations including all the determination, method and instrument parameters. The determination overview is freely confi gurable, so all measurement results can be scanned easily. The subwin-dows «Curve» and «Information» display the measurement curve and other information on the determination, as well as method and instrument parameters for each determination that is selected. Convenient sort, search and fi lter functions make it easy to fi nd data quickly. Recalculation of determinations 11 Should it ever be necessary, determinations can also be processed at a later time, either by recalculation with different evaluation parameters or by manual evaluation of the curve with tangents. The original data are not lost. All versions of the determination are archived. Using the History function it is possible to restore the original version or any interim version or the fi nal version at any time. Report creation The Report Generator offers complete freedom when it a series of different report templates that can be adapted comes to creating the analysis report, whether it be an to the particular needs. As a result, a customized report individual report with all the relevant sample and method can be created in next to no time; and a company logo information or a tabular report in the form of a table with can, of course, be added, if required. all the results of a measurement series. StabNet contains Individual report with all the relevant details for the determination Tabular report (with or without curve), in portrait or landscape format, provides an overview of larger measurement series Other helpful database functions 12 Today entering a result in a table is simply not enough. Frequently, measurement results need to be set out as statistics and graphs. StabNet also supports this step. Statistical calculations Confi rmation of relevant results usually requires multiple as the mean value and the absolute and relative standard determinations. StabNet offers the possibility of linking 2 deviations, are then calculated automatically in addition or 4 replicate determinations together statistically. At the to the individual result. end of the multiple determinations, statistical data, such Detail overview and control chart The function «Detail overview» shows trends and spreads Furthermore, a control chart provides the possibility for in a clearly set-out chart. In addition, a table containing defi ning and visualizing warning and intervention limits. all the results of the selected determinations and their statistical evaluation is displayed. Data management and security Central data management 13 In the client-server version, StabNet enables central data the StabNet server. The great advantage is that any data management on a server in the local network. Regarding can be viewed and processed further from any PC on its operation and scope of functions, the client-server ver-which a StabNet client is installed, whether in the labora-sion does not differ from a local installation. However, all tory or in the offi ce. Thus, all the measurement data are the methods and determinations are stored centrally on available throughout the company. Security Data security and the traceability of results are becom-ized access to parts of the program and to data. Further-ing ever more important. In StabNet the access rights of more, there is the possibility to add a digital signature to each user can be defi ned in accordance with the in-house both methods and determinations. security scheme. Password protection prevents unauthor-Data backup StabNet also supports data backup. The entire database therefore be restored in a very short time. is backed up at a freely defi nable interval. Lost data can Technical specifications 14 893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimat Heating blocks 2 aluminum heating blocks; electrically heated; can be set to different temperatures Temperature control Temperature range 50...150 °C, adjustable in 1 °C steps Temperature correction -9.9...+9.9 °C, adjustable in 0.1 °C steps Deviation of the block temperature from the set value < ±0.3 °C Reproducibility of set temperature Typically better than ±0.2 °C* Temperature variations Typically <0.1 °C* Temperature difference between different measuring Typically <0.3 °C* positions Ambient temperature <50 °C (at an operating temperature of 150 °C) Response temperature of thermal protection 180 °C * When operating temperature has been reached, with inserted reaction vessels with an identical filling and 20 L/h air throughput. Air throughput Pump Diaphragm pump Adjustable range volumetric flow rate 1...25 L/h (at 25 °C and 1013 hPa) Max. error from set value ± (0.25 L/h + 5% of the measurement value) Conductivity measurement Electrodes Conductivity cell 6.0913.130 with double steel-pin electrode integrated in measuring vessel cover Measuring range 0...400 µS/cm Line power Voltage 100...120 V and 220...240 V Frequency 50...60 Hz Power consumption Max. 450 VA Dimensions Width 383 mm Depth 461.5 mm Height 276.5 mm (without accessories) Weight 16.1 kg (without accessories) Minimum PC requirements for StabNet Processor Pentium 4; clock speed 1 GHz Working memory 2 GB Free hard disk memory 1 GB for program Free memory for data 4 GB (for approx. 1’000 determinations) Operating system Windows XP Professional Windows Vista Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) USB port 1 for each instrument that is connected (maximum 4) Additional requirements for StabNet server installations Operating system for server Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 R2 (32-bit and 64-bit) Network Minimum 10 Mbit/s Ordering Information 2.893.0010 893 Professional Biodiesel Rancimat 15 Instrument for determination of the oxidation stability of biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester, FAME) and biodiesel blends in accordance with the standards EN 14112 and EN 15751. All of the necessary accessories for the performance of the determinations is included in the scope of delivery. The StabNet software is required for instrument control, data recording and evaluation and for data storage (not included). Options 6.1111.020 Pt100 Temperature Sensor long for biodiesel measurements 6.2059.000 Turning ring 6.2324.010 Conductivity standard 100 µS/cm (250 mL) 6.2326.000 Silicone oil for stability measuring instruments (50 mL) 6.2757.000 Air collection tube for stability instruments 6.5616.110 Equipment for determining the temperature correction for Biodiesel Rancimats Consumables 6.5706.010 Biodiesel Rancimat Consumable Kit 6.2821.090 Aspiration filter StabNet 6.6068.102 StabNet 1.0 Full CD: 1 license 6.6068.103 StabNet 1.0 Multi CD: 3 licenses www.metrohm.com G, CH-9100 Herisau ohm A witzerland by Metr , printed in S SW 10 Subject to change Layout by Ecknauer+Schoch A 8.893.5000EN – 2012-