Argentina: Fuels: Biodiesel

Biodiesel Fuel Standards

Table 1 lists specifications for biodiesel and its blends according to Resolution 1283/2006 and Table 2 according to Resolution 6/2010 and Resolution 689/2022 [3402][3406][6843][6844][6840]. Additional background information of biodiesel specifications can be found elsewhere.

The 2019 specification shown in Table 2 defined two grades “Biodiesel” and “Biodiesel CF”. Biodiesel CF, for low temperature regions, had stricter limits on monoglycerides and cold soak filterability and a more relaxed oxidation stability requirement. The other property limits were the same.

Table 1
2006 Specifications for biodiesel and biodiesel/diesel fuel blends

Property	Units	Test Method	Biodiesel	Biodiesel/Diesel Blends*
Density @15°C	g/ml	ASTM D1298	0.875-0.900	diesel base fuel limit range
Water & sediment, max	g/100 g	ASTM D1796	0.05	diesel base fuel limit
Flash point, min	°C	IRAM-IAP 6539 or ASTM D93	100
Kinematic viscosity @40°C	cSt	IRAM-IAP 6597 or ASTM D445	3.5-5	2-5
Cetane number, min		ASTM D613	45
Cetane index, min		ASTM D976		diesel base fuel limit
Sulfur, max	mg/kg	ASTM D4294 or ASTM D5453	10	diesel base fuel limit
Acid number, max	mg KOH/g	ASTM D664	0.5	0.5
Free glycerin, max	g/100 g	ASTM D6584/00 or NFT 60-704	0.02	0.01
Total glycerin, max	g/100 g	ASTM D6584/00 or NFT 60-704	0.24	0.12
Oxidation stability, min	h	EN 14112	6
Iodine number, max		EN 14111	135
Phosphorus, max	mg/kg	EN 14107 or ASTM D4951	10	5
Copper corrosion, 3h@ 50°C		IRAM IAP A 6533, ASTM D130 or ISO 2160	Class 1 or better
Ester content, min	g/100 g	EN 14103	96.5
* The properties of the components in the mixture, when adjusted by the blend ratio, must meet the effective specification limits of the pure components.

**Table 2**
2010 and later specifications for biodiesel
Property	Units	Test Method	02.2010 [3406]	09.2010 [6843]	2019 [6844]	2022 [6840]
Ester content, min	% m/m	EN 14103	96.5
Linolenic acid methyl ester, max	% m/m	EN 14103	12.0
Density @15°C	kg/m³	ASTM D1298	860-900
Kinematic viscosity @40°C	cSt	ASTM D445	3.5-5.0
Flash point, min	°C	ASTM D93	120
Sulfur, max	% m/m	ASTM D5453	0.001
Water, max	% m/m	ASTM D4928	0.05	0.05	0.03	0.05
Monoglycerides, max	% m/m	ASTM D6584	-	0.80	0.70/0.40*	0.8
Diglycerides, max	% m/m	ASTM D6584	-			0.2
Triglycerides, max	% m/m	ASTM D6584	-			0.2
Free glycerin, max	% m/m	ASTM D6584	0.02
Total glycerin, max	% m/m	ASTM D6584	0.25
Acid number, max	mg KOH/g	ASTM D664	0.5
Oxidation stability, min	h	EN 14112	6	8	10/8*	6
Iodine number		EN 14111	report
Cloud point	°C	ASTM D2500	report
Sulfated ash, max	% m/m	ISO 3987	0.2
Group I metals (Na+K)	mg/kg	EN 14538	5
Group II metals (Ca+Mg)	mg/kg	EN 14538	5
Total contamination	mg/kg	EN 12662	24
Carbon residue	% m/m	ASTM D4530	0.05
Copper corrosion, 3h@ 50°C		ASTM D130	Class 1 or better
Phosphorus, max	% m/m	ASTM D4951/ICP	0.001	0.0004	0.0004	0.001
Cetane number, min		ASTM D613	45
Cold soak filterability	s	ASTM D6751	report	360	360/200*	report
* Biodiesel/Biodiesel CF