Testing Biodiesel or Methanol For Soap Levels Using A Soap Test Kit

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This video will show you how to test Biodiesel and methanol for the presence of soap. By using a simple test kit developed by Arbor Biofuels Company and marketed by Utah Biodiesel Supply you can quickly identify the soap content of Biodiesel, methanol, or other liquids.

The Method
1) Dissolve 10 mL of sample to be tested into 100 mL of 99% pure Isopropyl Alcohol
2) Add 10-20 drops of Bromophenol Blue to the mixture
3) Add measured amounts of 0.01 Normal Hydrochloric Acid to the mixture until it turns yellow
4) Record how many milliliters it took to turn the solution yellow
5) Calculate the soap content

Formula
(mL Acid Used X 304) = Soap Parts Per Million

Goal
Under 60 PPM

For more details and to learn more about this kit visit the Soap Test Kit page at Utah Biodiesel Supply.

Link to the Soap Test Kit
http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/soaptestkit.php

Link to Utah Biodiesel Supply
http://www.utahbio.com

Link to Arbor Biofuels Company
http://www.arborbiofuelscompany.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• biodiesel
• soap
• testing
• test
• kit

[UtahBiodiesel]

@redblue18700 You might need to swap out your Isopropyl for some newer stuff. It sounds like it might be slightly acidic; which can throw off the test.

[UtahBiodiesel]

@redblue18700 That means your Isopropyl Alcohol is acidic. You need to get new Alcohol. However, by "blanking the solution" by getting it to turn slightly blue with some NaOH solution is fine.

[redblue18700]

I add the bromophenol blue turns yellow when i add it to the isopropanol.. not dark yellow, but it's not blue at all (not greenish either). no bioD added yet. same with acetone as solvent.

only when i add tiny drops of naoh solution does it turn blue-very blue. this indicates the indicator is working... but the alcohol solution indicates yellow to start. can't get this to be otherwise.