Danish company FOSS has launched the XDS Biodiesel Analyser. According to the company the analyser is a rapid and easy-to-use solution for the control of biodiesel production.

The unit is supplied pre-calibrated and ready to test a range of key control parameters throughout the production process, says FOSS. It can be used to test deliveries of vegetable oils used as raw material, for monitoring the effectiveness of the biodiesel conversion process and for testing against biodiesel standards such as EN 14214/ASTM  D6751. 

The XDS, claims the company, is faster and easier to use that existing analysers, which promotes quality while reducing costs and wastage. As an example Foss puts forward the monitoring of di-glyceride during the conversion process ensures optimal dosage of catalyst in line with standards.

"A measurement with the XDS instrument take about two minutes compared to about an hour with traditional Gas Chromatography analysis", says the company. "The XDS is also simpler to use, allowing anyone working in the plant to contribute to quality without the risk of human error that can occur with operators unfamiliar with the GC technique. To do a test, a sample is placed in the XDS and the results are then displayed on a computer screen."