21.11.2022

AGQM No-Harm Test 2022/2023 – Additives at its best!

AGQM is again testing oxidation stabilizers and flow improvers for biodiesel for their safe use. Registration for the current no-harm test round is possible until 9th December 2022.

Different additives are used in all types of fuel, from fossil to sustainable, to positively influence their properties. When using additives, special care must be taken to exclude negative interactions with the fuel and also with other additives. Therefore, so-called no-harm tests have been developed to check the additives. In cooperation with the mineral oil industry, AGQM has developed three special no-harm tests to check biodiesel oxidation stabilisers and flow improvers. These no-harm tests can now be used again. Additives that have successfully passed the no-harm test are published on the globally recognised no-harm lists.

To slow down ageing and effectively prevent it for years to come, antioxidants have been used since the beginning of biodiesel use. In some demanding temperature ranges, flow improvers for biodiesel (BDFI - biodiesel flow improver) are also used to ensure cold operability. Both classes of additives are also used in fossil fuels.

The no-harm test antioxidants for biodiesel as a diesel fuel component provides for the testing of minimum requirements (B100), interaction tests (B100), engine oil compatibility, filtration properties and an engine test with B10 fuel.

The antioxidants for biodiesel as a heating oil component are examined in the second no-harm test in a B20 fuel. The minimum requirements are extended, and the interaction test is tightened; at the same time, the test for engine oil compatibility and the engine test are omitted in the heating oil sector.

In the third no-harm test, flow improvers for biodiesel are subjected to a similar programme as the antioxidants, whereby emulsion, foaming and corrosion properties are additionally examined.

You can register to have your additive tested until 09.12.2022 at vasb@ntdz-ovbqvrfry.qr. On the AGQM website www.agqm-biodiesel.de you will find the no-harm lists and further information on the individual No-Harm tests.