ASTM E2997-16
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Analysis of Biodiesel Products by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Standard Test Method for Analysis of Biodiesel Products by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method specifically identifies fatty acid methyl esters and petroleum distillates found in biodiesel products. Derivatization is not necessary to identify FAMEs.
4.1.1 This test method is useful when biodiesel products are suspected as a fuel source in a fire or a fuel product case and the identification of the “bio” portion of the fuel is of interest.
4.1.2 The identification of biodiesel in samples from a fire scene can support the field investigator’s opinion regarding the origin and cause of the fire or provide investigative leads.
4.1.3 The identification of biodiesel in a sample of fuel from a dispensing container or fuel tank can support the field investigator’s findings in a fuel product tampering investigation.
4.2 FAMEs can be identified in debris samples using headspace extraction techniques and GC-MS.
4.2.1 Solvent extraction may be required to further identify and characterize the FAME content in biodiesel.
4.2.2 The presence of FAMEs and petroleum diesel is a strong indication of a biodiesel product, as FAMEs are not naturally occurring.
4.3 Biodiesel products can be identified in liquid samples by GC-MS after appropriate solvent dilution or extraction.
4.4 Biodiesel is available in different blends, where B100 is 100 % biodiesel (typically 100 % transesterified vegetable oils or recycled restaurant greases) and B2 is 2 % biodiesel and 98 % petroleum diesel, with variations in between.
4.5 This test method is a sensitive technique and can detect quantities as small as 7 μL of biodiesel residue in an extract from a debris sample.
4.6 This test method can be hampered by coincident extraction of interfering compounds present in the debris samples.
4.7 Depending on the extraction method used, this could be a destructive technique and whenever possible the entire sample should not be used for the procedure. Solvent extracted portions of the sample are not suitable for resampling.
4.8 Alternate methods of e...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the analysis and identification of the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and petroleum distillate components of biodiesel products.
1.2 This test method is suitable for identifying the components of biodiesel products in extracts of debris samples or in liquid samples.
1.3 The identification of a specific source of the FAMEs or the proportion of the blend of biodiesel requires additional analysis and is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.4 This test method cannot replace the requisite knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through appropriate education, training, and experience and should be used in conjunction with sound professional judgment.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2997 − 16 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Biodiesel Products by Gas Chromatography-
1
Mass Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2997; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E1386 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction
1.1 This test method covers the analysis and identification
E1412 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
of the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and petroleum distil-
from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concen-
late components of biodiesel products.
tration with Activated Charcoal
1.2 This test method is suitable for identifying the compo-
E1413 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
nents of biodiesel products in extracts of debris samples or in
from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Con-
liquid samples.
centration onto an Adsorbent Tube
1.3 The identification of a specific source of the FAMEs or
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
the proportion of the blend of biodiesel requires additional Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
analysis and is beyond the scope of this test method.
E1618 TestMethodforIgnitableLiquidResiduesinExtracts
from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass
1.4 This test method cannot replace the requisite
Spectrometry
knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through appropriate
E2154 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
education, training, and experience and should be used in
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Pas-
conjunction with sound professional judgment.
sive Headspace Concentration with Solid Phase Microex-
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
traction (SPME)
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E2451 Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignit-
standard.
able Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E2881 Test Method for Extraction and Derivatization of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Vegetable Oils and Fats from Fire Debris and Liquid
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Samples with Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Spectrometry
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
3. Summary of Test Method
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1 Traditional ignitable liquid analysis will be used to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
identify biodiesel products.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2 The debris sample is extracted or an aliquot of a liquid
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
is extracted or diluted and analyzed by gas chromatography-
mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
2. Referenced Documents
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3.3 If fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) are suspected,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
further solvent extraction and analysis on a FAME-specific
E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Tech-
column may be required.
nical Experts
3.4 Specific chemical components (fatty acid methyl esters)
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are identified by their retention times and mass spectra.
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE30onForensic
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved March 1, 2016. Published April 2016. DOI: 10.1520/
4. Significance and Use
E2997-16.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.1 This test method specifically identifies fatty acid methyl
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
esters and petroleum distillates found in biodiesel products.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Derivatization is not necessary to identify FAMEs.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E2997 − 16
4.1.1 This test method is useful when biodiesel products are 5.1.3 GC Oven—A column oven capable of reproducible
suspect
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