Technical Standards

There are three existing specification standards for diesel & Bio diesel fuels (EN590, DIN 51606 & EN14214).

Biodiesel

EN590 (actually EN590:2000) describes the physical properties that all diesel fuel must meet if it is to be sold in the EU, Czech Republic, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland. It allows the blending of up to 5% Bio diesel with 'normal' DERV - a 95/5 mix. In some countries such as France, all diesel sold routinely contains this 95/5 mix.

DIN 51606 is a German standard for Bio diesel, is considered to be the highest standard currently existing, and is regarded by almost all vehicle manufacturers as evidence of compliance with the strictest standards for diesel fuels. The vast majority of Bio diesel produced commercially meets or exceeds this standard.

EN14214 EN14214 is the standard for bio diesel now having recently been finalized by the European Standards organisation CEN. It is broadly based on DIN 51606.

Here is a comparison table listing the main differences between Derv and Bio Diesel.

Table

Criteria
Derv (EN590)
Bio diesel (DIN51606)
Bio diesel (EN14214)
Density @ 15°C (g/cm³)
0.82-0.86
0.875-0.9
0.86-0.9
Viscosity @ 40°C (mm²/s)
2.0-4.5
3.5-5.0
3.5-5.0
Flashpoint(°C)
>55
>110
>101
Sulphur (% mass)
0.20
<0.01
<0.01
Sulphated Ash (% mass)
0.01
<0.03
0.02
Water (mg/kg)
200
<300
<500
Carbon Residue (% weight)
0.30
<0.03
<0.03
Total Contamination (mg/kg)
Unknown
<20
<24
Copper Corrosion 3h/50°C
Class 1
Class 1
Class 1
Cetane Number
>45
>49
>51
Methanol (% mass)
Unknown
<0.3
<0.2
Ester Content (% mass)
Unknown
>96.5
>96.5
Monoglycides (% mass)
Unknown
<0.8
<0.8
Diglyceride (% mass)
Unknown
<0.4
<0.2
Tridlycende (% mass)
Unknown
<0.4
<0.4
Free Glycerol (% mass)
Unknown
<0.02
<0.02
Total Glycerol (% mass)
Unknown
<0.25
<0.25
Lodine Number
Unknown
<115
120
Phosphor (mg/kg)
Unknown
<10
<10
Alcaline Metals Na. K (mg/kg)
Unknown
<5
<5
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