Analysis of diesel fuels/biodiesel blends and identification of biodiesel using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS).

Abstract

A method based on time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) was developed to characterize different fossil diesel fuels and biodiesel blends. The frequency behavior and decay behavior of fluorescence excited at 266 and 355 nm were measured. Differentiation of fuels was achieved by principal component analysis (PCA) of their fluorescence-lifetimes at characteristic emission wavelengths . For the quantification of biodiesel in blends, the quenchingeffect on the fluorescence was determined. The results showed that the quenching-effect at the characteristic emission wavelengths (422 nm, 438 nm and 525 nm) with 355 nm laser excitation was unique for biodiesel blends. Based on that, the identification and quantification of the biodiesel was possible. TRLFS is useful for in-situ detection of the biogenic content of biodiesel blends.