ASTM proposed method would help ID biodiesel in fire debris

April 4, 2016 |

In Pennsylvania, a proposed ASTM test method will help extract and identify biodiesel products in fire debris. This standard will help forensic labs analyze samples to determine the presence of ignitable liquids and to help with potential cases of fuel tampering or contamination.

Specifically, according to ASTM member Ronald Kelly, “this new standard could provide an alternative way to characterize the fatty acid methyl ester compounds that are added to the petroleum distillate fraction of diesel fuels.” Kelly, a recently retired supervisory forensic chemist from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, notes that the test method could help determine the types of oils in biodiesel products and to compare the composition of two or more fuel samples.

Category: Fuels

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