Standard type
Biodiesel quality standards
Regulating Body
Applicability
Biodiesel in Japan
History
There are two quality standards for biodiesel fuels in Japan: a mandatory standard specified in the Law on the Quality Control of Gasoline and Other Fuels (Quality Assurance Law) and a voluntary Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). In 2003, biodiesel was the topic of a fact-finding survey concerning exhaust gases of new fuels.
Technical Standards
3.1 Quality Assurance Law Specifications
The Quality Assurance Law has been amended to allow up to 5% Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) by mass (in the United States and Europe, blending is by volume) and to prevent the use of unprocessed vegetable oils. The requirements took effect in March 2007. The diesel fuel properties specified in this law are sulfur, cetane index, T90 distillation temperature and upper limits on FAME and triglicerides. For biodiesel, additional requirements include limits for methanol, total acid number (TAN), low molecular weight acids and oxidation stability. Both diesel fuel and biodiesel/diesel blends have limits on FAME and triglicerides to clearly distinguish between the two and to prevent the use of unprocessed triglicerides. The table below shows the regulated limits for diesel fuel containing up to 5% biodiesel in the Quality Assurance Law.
| Fuel Property | Test | Unit | Biodiesel Blend | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cetane Index1, min | JIS K2280 | 45 | 45 | |
| Sulfur, max | JIS K2541 -1, -2, -6, or -7 | % mass | 0.005 | 0.005 |
| Distillation, 90% v/v rec., max | JIS K2254 | °C | 360 | 360 |
| FAME, max | % mass | 5.0 | 0.1 | |
| Triglycerides, max | % mass | 0.01 | 0.01 | |
| Methanol, max | % mass | 0.01 | – | |
| Total Acid Number, max | mg KOH/g | 0.13 | – | |
| Formic, Acetic and Propionic Acids, max | % mass | 0.003 | – | |
| Oxidation Stability, max acid number increase | mg KOH/g | 0.12 | – | |
| Notes: 1. Cetane number may also be used |
||||
3.2 JIS Standard
The table below shows the proposed voluntary JIS standard for biodiesel. It is similar to the European biodiesel standard with several exceptions. The European standard is for use as a blending stock for diesel fuel or as a neat B100 fuel. Japan limits the biodiesel content to 5% so B100 is not allowed. The oxidation stability requirement for Japan is set on the B5 blend and not on the neat biodiesel as is done in Europe. The Quality Assurance Law also places additional requirements on acid number and low molecular weight acids for the B5 blend that are not required in Europe.
| Fuel Property | Unit | Limit | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ester content, min | % mass | 96.5 | EN 14103 |
| Density | g/ml | 0.86 – 0.90 | JIS K 2249 |
| Kinematic Viscosity | mm2/s | 3.5 – 5.0 | JIS K2283 |
| Flash Point, min | °C | 120 | JIS K2265 |
| Sulfur, max | ppm | 10 | JIS K 2541-1, -2, -6 or-7 |
| 10% Carbon Residue, max | % mass | 0.3 | JIS K2270 |
| Cetane Index, min | 51 | JIS K2280 | |
| Sulfated Ash, max | % mass | 0.02 | JIS K2272 |
| Water, max | ppm | 500 | JIS K 2275 |
| Particulate, max | ppm | 24 | EN 12662 |
| Copper Corrosion, max | 1 | JIS K2513 | |
| Acid, max | mg KOH/g | 0.5 | JIS K2501, JIS K0070 |
| Oxidation Stability | * | ||
| Iodine Number, max | g I/100g | 120 | JIS K0070 |
| Linolenic acid methyl ester, max | % mass | 12.0 | EN 14103 |
| Methanol, max | % mass | 0.20 | JIS K 2536, EN14110 |
| Monoglycerides, max | % mass | 0.80 | EN 14105 |
| Diglycerides, max | % mass | 0.20 | EN 14105 |
| Triglycerides, max | % mass | 0.20 | EN 14105 |
| Free glycerin, max | % mass | 0.02 | EN 14105, EN14106 |
| Total glycerin, max | % mass | 0.25 | EN 14105 |
| Metals (Na + K), max | ppm | 5 | EN 14108, EN 14109 |
| Metals (Ca + Mg), max | ppm | 5 | EN 14538 |
| Phosphorus, max | ppm | 10 | EN 14107 |
| Pour point | °C | * | |
| CFPP | °C | * | |
| Notes: * Agreement between producer and distributor |
|||
Links
Regulatory Documents
Law on the Quality Control of Gasoline and Other Fuels (Quality Assurance Law)
Regulatory agencies
Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
