Product category:
Liquid Analysis: Titration, HPLC, IC
News Release from: Metrohm UK | Subject: SO4 in ethanol
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 29 March 2007
Sulphate determination in denatured
ethyl alcohol
Determination of sulphate in denatured ethyl alcohol (fuel ethanol) by direct injection ion chromatography and suppressed conductivity, to comply with ASTM D 4806-06c and protect engine components
In times of skyrocketing gasoline prices, ethanol fuel - mainly derived from the fermentation of sugar cane (in Brazil) and corn (in the USA and Canada) - is a promising renewable high-octane vehicular fuel A major drawback, however, is the contamination with inorganic salt ions such as chloride, nitrate and sulphate
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 2 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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These ions can affect the engine performance because precipitating salts clog filters and fuel injector nozzles.
Furthermore, these ions enhance corrosion in the vehicle components in contact with the fuel.
Hence there is an urgent need for standards defining quality specifications and test methods.
While the analysis of sulfate/sulphate is specified in a number of ASTM standards, until recently, the ASTM D 4806-06b standard - the specification for denatured fuel ethanol - provided no guidelines for total and potential sulfate.
Recognizing the need for validated methods for quality control, ASTM balloted and approved a sulfate specification for fuel ethanol, stipulating a maximum level of sulfate in ethanol of 4 parts per million (ppm).
In this paper a convenient direct injection suppressed ion chromatographic method for determining chloride and sulfate in denaturated ethanol samples is presented.
The method complies with ASTM D 4806-06c.
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