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The BIOREMA project—part 3: International interlaboratory comparison for bio-ethanol test methods

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Abstract

The main objective of the reference materials for biofuel specifications (BIOREMA) project is the development of two test materials (one bio-ethanol material and one biodiesel material) with well-established reference values. Of a series of three papers, this part describes the material preparation, homogeneity study, stability study, and characterisation of the bio-ethanol material. The test material thus obtained was used in an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) to assess current practices and comparability amongst laboratories providing bio-ethanol testing services. Only 13 participants provided data, resulting in a small dataset for evaluation. Further, it appeared that for a number of laboratories, there was not sufficient material for the determination of all requested parameters. In most cases, as far as the data permit, it can be concluded that the consensus values (based on participant’s results) are in good agreement with the reference or the BIOREMA values (obtained by NMIs participating in the project). For three parameters, namely ethanol content, water content, and density, there is good agreement between the reference and consensus values. For these parameters, the reproducibility standard deviation is close to, or even smaller than, the expanded uncertainty associated with the reference value. A number of parameters show very poor reproducibility, for example, pHe, electrolytic conductivity, and acidity. The same applies to sodium and copper content, which are very low and therefore challenging parameters to measure accurately. The results of the ILC underpin the need for certified reference materials and demonstrate the requirement for more robust quality control to improve the precision and trueness of the results from testing laboratories.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VSL, Thijsseweg 11, 2629 JA, Delft, The Netherlands

    Adriaan M. H. van der Veen, Hugo Ent & Annarita Baldan

  2. Chemical Metrology Division, National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), Av. Nossa Senhora das Graças 50, Xerém (Duque de Caxias), RJ, CEP 25250020, Brazil

    Valnei S. da Cunha & Romeu J. Daroda

  3. Biochemical Sciences Division and Analytical Chemistry Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    Brian Lang & Michele Schantz

  4. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, 2440, Geel, Belgium

    Manuela Ulberth-Buchgraber & Andrea Held

  5. LGC, Queens Road, Teddington, TW11 0LY, UK

    Ruth Hearn

  6. Analytical Science Division, National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, UK

    Richard J. C. Brown & Paul J. Brewer

Authors
  1. Adriaan M. H. van der Veen
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  2. Hugo Ent
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  3. Annarita Baldan
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  4. Valnei S. da Cunha
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  5. Romeu J. Daroda
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  6. Brian Lang
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  7. Michele Schantz
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  8. Manuela Ulberth-Buchgraber
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  9. Andrea Held
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  10. Ruth Hearn
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  11. Richard J. C. Brown
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  12. Paul J. Brewer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adriaan M. H. van der Veen.

Additional information

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper to specify adequately the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply recommendation or endorsement by any of the project partners, nor does it imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

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van der Veen, A.M.H., Ent, H., Baldan, A. et al. The BIOREMA project—part 3: International interlaboratory comparison for bio-ethanol test methods. Accred Qual Assur 18, 41–50 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-012-0945-8

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