Tuesday, September 16, 2008
2008 R&D 100 Winner
Alternative fuels are an important part of the 21st Century paradigm shift from fossil fuels, but they must be tested to assure that they will not impede the performance of the engines they fuel. Good quality biodiesel fuel prevents engine shutdown due to excessively high glycerin, prevents engine corrosion from oxidation due to high fuel acidity, prevents unscheduled maintenance, and prevents supply chain interruptions. Although there are many laboratory instruments that can test biodiesel, they are expensive, require skilled operators, generate delays in providing results, and are not available on-site. Overcoming all of these limitations is the i-SPEC Q-100, a handheld analyzer that enables users to detect total glycerin, acid number, and methanol, and measure diesel/biodiesel fuel blend percentages. Developed by researchers at Paradigm Sensors, LLC, Milwaukee, Wisc., jointly with researchers from Marquette Univ., also in Milwaukee, the i-SPEC uses impedance spectroscopic analysis and biodiesel composition characteristics to test for all four parameters at once. Because it is handheld, the I-SPEC enables fast, economical testing of biodiesel at all points along the supply chain.
Technology
Hand-held analyzer
Developers
Paradigm Sensors, LLC
Marquette Univ.
