Room: Poster Area
Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Time: 16:15 - 17:15 CEST
Session code 5AV.4
Innovation in advanced processes for biofuels production: materials, mechanisms, and performances (part 2)
Impact of Trace Ethanol Contamination on Flash Point Depression in Diesel B: An Integrated GC-MS and Headspace GC/FID Approach
Short Introductive summary
The investigation of flash point non-conformities in diesel fuels benefits from robust and complementary analytical approaches capable of identifying trace-level volatile contaminants. In this context, this study proposes an integrated methodology combining GC-MS and Headspace GC/FID to support the diagnosis of flash point deviations in diesel B. A compliant diesel sample was subjected to controlled ethanol additions (0.1–0.5% v/v) to evaluate the sensitivity of flash point to low-level contamination. The results demonstrated a clear and consistent decrease in flash point, from 48.1 °C in the original sample to 32.1 °C at 0.5% ethanol, highlighting the influence of volatile compounds at trace levels. Similar volatile profiles were observed between ethanol-doped samples and selected non-conforming diesel B samples, reinforcing the plausibility of contamination under real distribution conditions. The analytical approach enabled improved diagnostic capability and supports more reliable investigation of fuel quality deviations. These findings reinforce the importance of integrated analytical strategies, highlighting the need for continuous response to emerging operational challenges.
Presenter
Pedro PRATES
LEC-UFMG, Chemistry Dpt., BRAZIL
Presenter's biography
Scientist with a PhD in Chemical Engineering and over 18 years of experience spanning applied research, industry and higher education. Current work focuses on biofuels, including fuel quality, oxidative stability, particulate contamination, and the effects of feedstock diversity on fuel performance.
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
P. Prates-Valério, LEC-UFMG, Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL
V.M.D. Pasa, LEC-UFMG, Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL
Session reference: 5AV.4.21