Biodiesel Quality & Testing Workshop: Melbourne -  27-28 October 2005

Martin Mittelbach
PhD, Assoc. Prof. Group Leader
Renewable Resources Group
Karl-Franzens University, Graz. Austria  

 

Biodiesel Testing 2005

Issues of biodiesel testing from multiple feed-stocks with a hands-on how-to session.

Thursday 27 & Friday 28, October 2005

Intertek Probe Laboratory
West Footscray
Melbourne

There has been a great amount of discussion regarding application of the Biodiesel Standard test methods and the variations seen in the results by the biodiesel and petroleum industry world-wide. As a direct result of the wide variety of feedstocks being used in Australia, the subsequent variability and confusion in test method results does not provide the clarity or assurance distributors, end-users and regulators need.

This course is designed to bring producers, labs, distributors and regulators together with perhaps the best knowledge of the Australian biodiesel test methods in the world. Martin Mittelbach and his team have worked on virtually all possible biodiesel feedstocks and is currently negotiating the development of new test methods for the European Union.

Through this course, you will learn the importance and application of each of the test methods in the Australian Standard with a focus on additives for Oxidative Stability and the Gas Chromatograph test methods (Ester Content, Total and Free Glycerol). This will include hands-on preparation of samples and a workshop on anyalysing/interpreting the results. 

In addition, there will even be a visit to the newly installed Cetane test unit – a first of its kind for Australia.

“DEH fully supports industry and regulators getting together to explore 
these technical and policy issues”

Graeme Marshall - Director Clean Fuels and Vehicles, Department of Environment and Heritage

Biodiesel from Alternative Feedstocks

Frying oil

 

 During the last 20 years the working group at Karl-Franzens University has carried out extensive research in the field of production and characterization of diesel fuel from vegetable oils and/or animal fat. Mainly because of the high price of edible grade vegetable oils, the working group has begun to study very early the use of cheaper alternative feedstocks for biodiesel production such as used frying oil, animal fat and trap grease. The instrumental infrastructure of the working group and the institute enables to carry out investigations in any kind of analytical characterization as well as laboratory scale experiments. 

The activities of the working group in the field of biodiesel have led to the installation of the first pilot plant worldwide for the production of rape seed oil methyl esters in 1985. But also very early the use of recycled cooking oil as feedstock has been investigated resulting in the largest application of this kind of biodiesel in the bus fleet in the city of Graz. Today the use of animal fat, which cannot be further utilized as animal feed because of the BSE crisis, seems to be most attractive. The following research topics are currently under investigation: use of new feedstocks like new oil seeds and waste material; investigations of new catalysts for esterification and transesterification catalysts; development of chromatographic methods (GC, LC, GC/MS, LC/MS) for determination of main and side products; influence of chemical composition of feedstock on biodiesel quality; improvement of low temperature behaviour amongst others.

The working group has been engaged in a series of European and national research projects dealing with production, characterization and utilization of biodiesel.

Martin Mittelbach's leadership of this practical education session will provide an unequalled opportunity in Australia for anyone who is serious about quality biodiesel production in Australia, either now or in the near future.

Places at this training session are strictly limited to ensure that all delegates have the opportunity to obtain maximum benefit from discussion sessions and from hands-on participation.

The full program and registration details are provided below.

The Program - Biodiesel Testing 2005 - 27-28 October 2005

Intertek Probe Laboratory, Building 1
19 – 23 Paramount Road, West Footscray , MELBOURNE

  Thursday 27 October 2005
8.30am Registration
9.00am Official Opening
 Graeme Marshall
Director, Clean Fuels and Vehicles
Department of Environment and Heritage
9.20am Standardisation of Biodiesel 
Standardization worldwide
Historical development
Differences between different countries
Future perspectives
10.00am Discussion
Open session on implications to Australia of application of the standards and various feedstocks.
led by Graeme Marshall & Martin Mittelbach
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am Standardization of Biodiesel
Parameters
Limits
Relevance of each parameter and limit
12 noon Discussion
1.00pm Lunch
2.00pm Analytical Methods
Gas chromatographic methods
Ester content
Free glycerol
Glycerides
Problems with different feedstocks
Problems with procedure
3.00pm Discussion
3.30pm Afternoon Tea
4.00pm Demonstration of preparation of practical work for Friday
Sample preparation
Calibration
Sample analysis
5.00pm Close for Day

 

  Friday 28 October 2005
9.00am Practical Session
Sample Preparation methods and examples
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am Visit Cetane Testing Unit
12.30pm Lunch
2.00pm Practical Session
Evaluation of the analysis
Integration
Calibration
Discussion
3.00pm Discussion
3.30pm Afternoon Tea
4.00pm Demonstration of preparation of practical work for Friday
Sample preparation
Calibration
Sample analysis
5.00pm Close for Day

REGISTRATION DETAILS 

Biodiesel Training Registration Fee: $1250 per delegate (GST inclusive) 

Click for Online Registration Form

OR use  Biodiesel Testing 2005 Hard Copy Registration Form

 

 We are proud to be able to welcome Prof. Dr. Martin Mittelbach to lead the Biodiesel Testing 2005. Martin Mittelbach is  certainly one of the most important Biodiesel experts worldwide and head of Renewable Resources Group of the Institute for Chemistry at the Karl-Franzens University Graz. 
With over 20 years experience in biodiesel research, production and quality testing, he brings a unique knowledge to this forum and his presentation will be essential for anyone involved in commercial biodiesel.
In late 2004, with Claudia Remschmidt, Martin published Biodiesel: The Comprehensive Handbook, the first comprehensive handbook for biodiesel users, producers and other interested people from science, technology, agriculture, energy research and environmental politics. roughly one thousand scientific articles and patents on biodiesel are reviewed covering feed stocks, process technologies, fuel properties, quality specifications, exhaust emissions, environmental impacts and non-energy uses.

Limited copies of Biodiesel: The Comprehensive Handbook 
will be available for purchase at Biodiesel Testing 2005

 

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