Biofuels
We have developed our biofuels expertise over many years through regular analysis of various wood sources for combustion properties. This experience has proven valuable for expanding our test capabilities to a range of biomass sources from agricultural wastes to lipid feedstocks including tall oil and tallow.
Econotech supports traditional and novel biofuel applications for solid and liquid feedstocks, intermediates and fuel products. Our analyses help to improve customer outcomes as products are developed, traded and utilized.
Black liquor fuel value testing can be found under chemistry testing here.

Plant Biomass
- Develop novel products and processes, or equipment
- Establish the market value of fuel feedstocks and products Confirm fuel compliance with boiler specifications
- Confirm fuel compliance with boiler specifications
- Manage fuel handling and transport considerations effectively
- Manage fuel mixing and feed rates to achieve good boiler control and reliable operation
- Return to stable operation from upset conditions, including uncontrolled slagging in boilers
- Achieve compliance with environmental regulations
Liquid Biofuels
Industry is rapidly innovating liquid biofuels technology based on lipids. Econotech’s long history with lipid chemistry means that we’re ready to deliver feedstock characterizations that allow you to move forward at the pace you need. We work with lipid sources such as tall oil, grades of tallow, yellow grease, poultry fat, vegetable oil and oil crops . We can also analyze intermediates to support R&D and operation of conversion processes. Our characterization of lipid properties helps customers to:
- Develop novel products and processes, or equipment
- Monitor processing and troubleshoot problems
- Determine the suitability of feedstocks for specific production processes
- Establish the market value of fuel feedstocks and products

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Browse biofuel-specific tests below or Find a Test in our general catalogue
Service Area | Test | Test Method |
---|---|---|
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Acid Insoluble Ash (Free Carbon) | TAPPI T244 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Tall Oil) | Acid Number | ASTM D803, ASTM D465 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Aluminum | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Arsenic | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass) | Ash Content | TAPPI T211, TAPPI T413, Others |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Ash Fusion Temperature (AFT) | ASTM D1857 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Barium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Boron | By ICP |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Bulk Density | ISO 17828, TAPPI UM23 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Cadmium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Calcium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Calorific Value – Higher Heating Value (HHV) | By bomb calorimeter |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Calorific Value – Lower Heating Value (LHV) | By bomb calorimeter |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Carbohydrates | By IC, TAPPI T249 prep |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Carbon | By Element Analyzer |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Carbon, Fixed | |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Chloride | In-house |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Chromium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Cobalt | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Copper | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Density | Pyrex jar method (ASTM E873 – modified), Others |
Biofuel (Lipids) | Dichloromethane (DCM) Extractives | TAPPI T204 – modified |
Biofuel (Lipids, Tall Oil) | Fatty Acids | ASTM D1585 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | FTIR Spectroscopy | Scan or Microscope |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Hydrogen | By Element Analyzer |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Impurities | Non-organic material, Plastic material |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Iron | By ICP |
Biofuel (Tall Oil) | Kinematic Viscosity | ASTM D445 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Lead | By ICP |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Lignin, Klason (acid-insoluble) and Soluble | TAPPI T222, TAPPI UM250 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Lithium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Magnesium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Manganese | By ICP |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Mercury | By Cold Vapour UV |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Metals – As Oxides | By ICP + calculation (Incl. Al2O3, As2O3, BaO, B2O3, CaO, Cr2O3, CuO, Fe2O3, MgO, MnO, P2O5, K2O, SiO2, Na2O, TiO2, ZnO) |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Metals – Scan | By ICP (Incl. 24 elements: Al, As, Ba, B, Cd, Ca, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, K, Si, Na, Sr, Ti, V, Zn) |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Moisture Content | |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Molybdenum | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Nickel | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Nitrogen | By Element Analyzer |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Oxygen | By Element Analyzer |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Particle Size – Dry | |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Particle Size – Wet | |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Phosphorus | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Potassium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Proximate Analysis | |
Biofuel (Lipids, Tall Oil) | Resin and Fatty Acids | Gas Chromatography |
Biofuel (Tall Oil) | Rosin Acids | ASTM D803/D1240 |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Selenium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Silica | |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Silicon | By ICP |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Size classification | Tyler sieve |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Size classification – Round-hole | Williams |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Size classification – Thickness | TAPPI um-21 (Stalsvetz) |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Sodium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Strontium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Tall Oil) | Sulfate | TAPPI T625 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Sulfur | By ICP, ASTM D129, PAPTAC G28, Others |
Biofuel (Tall Oil) | Tall Oil Content | |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Titanium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass) | Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) | Macro TKN |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Ultimate Analysis | |
Biofuel (Lipids, Tall Oil) | Unsaponifiables | ASTM D803/D1065 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Vanadium | By ICP |
Biofuel (Lipids) | Viscosity | Brookfield Viscometer |
Biofuel (Plant Biomass) | Volatile Matter | ASTM D3172/D3175 |
Biofuel (Lipids, Tall Oil) | Water | Karl Fisher titration |
Biofuel (Lipids, Plant Biomass, Tall Oil) | Zinc | By ICP |