Elemental analysis as an important tool for fuels and biofuels quality control

Article presents normalized analytical methods for determination of elements in fuels and biofuels with emphasis on inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and their advantages and disadvantages. Analytical procedure applied for determination of 20 elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Si, Sn, Ti, V and Zn) is described with elements of validation. Broad range of elemental analysis results of fuels (B0, B7 and B10) and pure FAME samples are described. Typical contents of selected elements are presented which allows discussion on the domestic fuel quality in regard to non-standardized parameters and their potential effect on combustion engines performance.