Sulfur Enrichment in Biodiesel Precipitates: Possible Causes and Impacts

Abstract

Biodiesel is widely used as an additive to fossil diesel because it is a renewable and biodegradable biofuel that reduces pollutant emissions. Although considered a clean fuel, concerns persist regarding its use due to its tendency to form precipitates that can damage automotive components. Therefore, like any other fuel, biodiesel must meet a series of specifications to ensure its quality for commercialization. One such specification is the maximum sulfur content, as this element is a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect, as well as to corrosion in equipment and damage to automotive engines. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the sulfur concentration in biodiesel samples using the ICP-OES technique. The results showed that the precipitate samples had a higher sulfur content than their respective supernatant samples.