Select Biodiesel

Select Biodiesel Column

Application-Specific GC Columns

Agilent J&W Select Biodiesel columns are engineered to withstand the extreme temperatures required for biodiesel and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis, delivering exceptional durability and long column lifetimes even under the most demanding thermal conditions. Biodiesel characterization often requires operating temperatures approaching 400 Â°C—levels that quickly degrade or fracture traditional fused silica columns.

To solve this industry-wide challenge, Select Biodiesel columns utilize Agilent’s UltiMetal deactivated stainless steel tubing combined with an ultra-stable, high-temperature stationary phase. This robust construction provides superior mechanical strength, dramatically reducing the risk of column breakage, even during repeated heating cycles, while improving long-term stability for routine biodiesel profiling.

The combination of deactivated stainless steel and a thermally resilient phase ensures consistent retention behavior, reproducible peak shapes, and high-quality quantitation for mono-, di-, and triglycerides, free glycerin, FAMEs, and biodiesel impurities. This reliability is essential for laboratories performing ASTM- and EN-based biodiesel methods, where precision and ruggedness directly impact compliance and batch release decisions.

Whether used for production quality control, regulatory compliance, or research on alternative fuels, Agilent Select Biodiesel columns provide the thermal stability and robustness required for accurate, repeatable biodiesel analysis at the highest operating temperatures.

Key Definitions â–¸
Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs)
The primary components of biodiesel, produced by transesterifying fatty acids with methanol. Accurate FAME profiling is essential for meeting ASTM and EN biodiesel quality specifications.
UltiMetal Deactivated Stainless Steel Tubing
A highly durable metal tubing engineered to withstand elevated temperatures while maintaining inertness. UltiMetal deactivation prevents active sites on stainless steel from interacting with analytes, offering significantly longer column lifetime than conventional fused silica at extreme temperatures.
High-Temperature GC Operation
Analytical conditions requiring oven temperatures approaching 380–400 Â°C to elute late-eluting compounds such as triglycerides. These conditions demand stationary phases and column materials with exceptional thermal stability.
Triglycerides and Glycerin Impurities
Residual components from incomplete transesterification. Accurate quantitation of mono-, di-, and triglycerides, as well as free glycerin, is required to evaluate biodiesel conversion efficiency and ensure regulatory compliance.
Biodiesel Compliance Standards (ASTM & EN)
International specifications—such as ASTM D6584 and EN 14103—that define acceptable limits for glycerides, methyl esters, and impurities. GC columns used for biodiesel testing must provide high thermal stability and consistent retention to support these regulated methods.
Frequently Asked Questions â–¸
What are Select Biodiesel GC columns designed to analyze?
These columns are engineered for high-temperature analysis of biodiesel and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). They support the quantitation of mono-, di-, and triglycerides, free glycerin, and impurity profiles required by ASTM and EN biodiesel standards.
Why do these columns use UltiMetal stainless steel instead of fused silica?
Traditional fused silica is prone to breakage and degradation at extreme temperatures. UltiMetal deactivated stainless steel delivers superior mechanical strength and thermal stability, enabling reliable operation up to 400 Â°C while maintaining excellent inertness.
Do Select Biodiesel columns offer longer lifetimes than standard high-temperature GC columns?
Yes. Their metal tubing and ultra-stable stationary phase minimize thermal stress and column breakage, resulting in significantly longer lifetimes in laboratories that routinely operate near maximum oven temperatures.
Are these columns compatible with ASTM and EN biodiesel testing methods?
Absolutely. Select Biodiesel columns are designed to support key regulatory methods, including ASTM D6584 and EN 14103, providing the thermal endurance and reproducibility required for compliant biodiesel analysis.
How do these columns improve peak shape for high-boiling compounds?
The ultra-stable stationary phase maintains integrity at extreme temperatures, producing sharper peaks and more consistent retention for late-eluting triglycerides and other high-boiling biodiesel components.
Why buy Select Biodiesel columns from Chrom Tech?
Chrom Tech is an authorized distributor of Agilent GC columns, offering competitive pricing, fast delivery, and expert assistance for biodiesel testing workflows. Our team regularly supports laboratories performing ASTM and EN biodiesel methods, ensuring you receive the right column and reliable application guidance.