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

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.

Using the L/O ratio to determine blend composition in biodiesel by EASI-MS corroborated by GC-FID and GC-MS

“…1b-e) and the pure animal fat biodiesel (Fig. [37][38][39][40][41][42][43] As noted in Fig. One benecial feature of EASI(+)-MS is that it detects each FAME molecule predominantly via a single ion, that is, in the form of [FAME + Na] + sodium adducts.…”

“…One benecial feature of EASI(+)-MS is that it detects each FAME molecule predominantly via a single ion, that is, in the form of [FAME + Na] + sodium adducts. 43 Fig . 1 and minor ions from those of oleic acid (m/z 319) and linolenic acid (m/z 315) are clearly seen and may reect the actual composition of the mixture.…”

“…21 To characterize and quantitate the FAME composition of biodiesel, 22 gas chromatography with ame ionization detection (GC-FID) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are the two most commonly used techniques. [37][38][39][40][41][42][43] Herein we tested therefore the application of EASI(+)-MS as a screening tool to identify and to quickly establish the L/O ratio from blends of soybean oil and animal fat biodiesel and determine their blend composition. 28 These FFA and FAME proles provide natural chemotaxonomic markers for the parent animal fat or vegetable oil used for the biodiesel production.…”

“…We have extensively applied EASI(AE)-MS for both oil and biodiesel characterization. [37][38][39][40][41][42][43] Herein we tested therefore the application of EASI(+)-MS as a screening tool to identify and to quickly establish the L/O ratio from blends of soybean oil and animal fat biodiesel and determine their blend composition. To corroborate these results, classical quantitative techniques, such as GC methods, using both FID and MS detection, were used to quantitate the FAME contents of the blends and determine the L/O ratio.…”

Ambient sonic‐spray ionization mass spectrometry for rapid monitoring of secondary oxidation products in biodiesel

“…Similarly, this soft ionization source also may be attached to cheaper mass spectrometers as much as a gas chromatograph. EASI‐MS has been used to typify biodiesel feedstocks, primarily to reveal the presence of FAME , to monitor the primary oxidation compounds formed in biodiesel , to quantify process residues (mono, di, triacylglycerol, and free glycerin) , and to quantify the biodiesel in biodiesel/diesel blends .…”