Aspectrics has extended the capabilities of its recently launched MultiComponent 2750 EP-NIR analyser to perform reliable and accurate quality assurance measurements of biofuels
The EP-NIR analyser is capable of monitoring methanol, water and total glycerin in biodiesel, measuring water content in ethanol, biodiesel blend determination and analyzing ethanol/gasoline blends.
Introduced in August 2005, the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) aims to double the use of ethanol and biodiesel by 2012.
As a result, in the United States alone nearly one hundred new ethanol plants are being constructed during 2007 and corn acreage is up 15% compared to 2006.
It has become a major concern for manufacturers and buyers to ensure that the quality of the biofuels produced meet the recommended American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications.
ASTM certified analysis can cost up to $1200 per sample while samples not passing the test require further plant processing and a second test meaning an additional cost.
The Aspectrics 2750 Biofuels analyser is a highly flexible platform able to provide pass/fail information on multiple biofuel contaminants before samples are sent out for ASTM certification.
A single analyser is capable of processing multiple biodiesel and ethanol samples at an impressive 100 scans/second rate generating ultra-fast, real-time results in just a few seconds.
Due to its compact and rugged design, the Aspectrics 2750 biofuels analyser is easy to integrate into the on-line process environment or package for field deployment in the harsh biofuel production facilities.
The analyser design has received military certification for resistance to vibration.
Additionally, the unit utilises US military aircraft components that have a mean time between failures (MTBF) of ten years, delivering highly stable results over a long period resulting in lower cost of ownership.
In addition, demonstrating its express commitment to the fulfillment of its customers' needs, Aspectrics Professional Services offers a start-up service, setting up the biofuels analysers and calibrating them to each specific application.
Once calibrated, the biofuels analysers will provide highly accurate results, requiring no specialised training to operate.
All Aspectrics 2750 biofuels analysers carry a factory repair guarantee for three years while the motor assembly carries a guarantee for factory replacement for ten years.
