Chapters authored
Distillation: Basic Test in Quality Control of Automotive Fuels
The petroleum-derived automotive fuels available on the market today have different characteristics from those that were available a decade ago, mainly due to the promotion of the use of biofuels. However, the study of their distillation curves remains a basic test for their quality control. The ISO 3405 Standard has been the basis of the test procedure for the determination of the distillation characteristics of petroleum-derived automotive fuels at atmospheric pressure. This test is essential for the quality control of this type of products because of the extensive information that can be extracted from the interpretation of its results. The introduction of biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel) in the new automotive fuel formulations, petrol and diesel fuels, made imperative to review ISO 3405:2000 in 2011. This paper studies the most significant changes between the two versions of the ISO 3405. The latest edition of the Standard is broader in scope; it has been modified in order to include the new fuel formulations which result from biofuel mixtures and the new criteria for repeatability and reproducibility calculation. This paper studies the most significant changes between the two versions of the ISO 3405 Standard together with a field study of commercial automotive fuel samples selection (with and without biofuel blend) and certified reference materials.
Part of the book: Distillation
Quality in Testing Laboratories: A Real Case in a Spanish Fuel Laboratory
Quality management is the chosen option by those organizations that maintain a strong commitment to excellence in their products, services, and processes. The technical competence of a testing laboratory is essential to provide confidence in the results issued to its clients: administrations, companies, or individuals who request their services. The implementation of a quality system, with international recognition, facilitates and enables laboratory projection in national and international forums. The study shows the steps followed by a fuel laboratory (R + D + i), integrated in a Spanish university, to implement the quality standards established in ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001. Despite its small size, the laboratory maintains high-quality standards. Obtaining ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation has allowed the laboratory to recognize its technical competence at a national and international level, greater visibility, and better positioning among laboratories that offer the same services, which has increased the number of customers and has achieved their loyalty.
Part of the book: Quality Management and Quality Control