Water Content in Biodiesel, Diesel, and Biodiesel-Diesel Blends

Biodiesel has a higher affinity toward moisture content than petroleum diesel, and the water retaining capacity of biodiesel is higher than diesel. The water content in fuels can be classified in free, emulsionated, and soluble water. High water content in biodiesel and diesel can cause problems such as water accumulation and microbial growth in fuel tanks and transportation equipment. Currently, there is a lack of information on water absorbance in biodiesel and biodiesel/diesel blends. Experiments were conducted to determine the water absorbance of biodiesel and biodiesel-diesel fuel blends evaluating the temperature and blend ratio parameters. Soluble water in biodiesel ranged from (1500 to 1980) mg.kg(-1) in the temperature range of (283.15 to 323.15) K, which was 10 to 15 times higher than diesel. Results also showed that, at constant relative humidities, biodiesel absorbed 6.5 times more moisture than diesel. The presence of free and/or emulsionated water in biodiesel and blends was determined through turbidity experiments.