AGROLAB Umwelt - Kiel - Germany

Mineral Oil Analysis – A Key to Quality and Safety

The quality of fuels is crucial for the performance and longevity of machines and engines. At the same time, it has a direct impact on operational safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Common risks associated with low-quality mineral oil products:

• Technical damage: Contaminants such as black sludge or microbial contamination (“diesel bug”) can cause corrosion, clogged filters, and engine failure.
• Efficiency losses: Non-compliant fuels increase consumption and reduce performance.
• Legal issues: Placing products on the market that do not meet defined standards (e.g. EN 590, EN 228) can lead to legal consequences.
• Environmental impact: Low-grade fuels result in increased emissions and environmental harm.

Our fuel testing services help you identify risks at an early stage, ensure the quality of your products, and comply with regulatory requirements. Our expertise contributes to lowering your operational costs, extending the lifespan of your equipment, and reducing environmental impact.

Fuel Testing for the Highest Standards

• Diesel fuels: Quality testing according to EN 590, including cetane number, cold flow properties, sulfur content, and microbial contamination such as diesel bug
• Petrol (spark-ignition fuels): Analysis according to EN 228, focusing on octane rating, oxygen content, vapor pressure, aromatic content, and distillation behavior
• HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil): Testing according to EN 15940 to ensure purity and usability (e.g. cetane number, cold flow behavior)
• Pyrolysis oils and BtL products: Analysis of products from pilot plants to assess suitability as a base for fuels or as special fuels, focusing on energy content and purity
• Biogenic fuel components: Testing of biodiesel and bioethanol as blending components
  • Biodiesel (FAME): Quality control according to EN 14214, focusing on oxidation stability, residual methanol, and other impurities
  • Bioethanol: Testing according to EN 15376 to verify purity and production-related residues

Sampling and On-Site Services in Mineral Oil Analysis

• Sampling: Accredited sampling at fuel stations, from storage tanks, and at supplier locations (e.g. tank trucks or rail tankers)
• Damage analysis: Root cause identification and support in resolving technical issues, including detection of fuel mixing
• Consulting: Assistance with regulatory compliance and process optimization

Microbiological Testing 

Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi can cause significant damage to fuel systems and storage tanks. With our microbiological testing, we identify such risks at an early stage.

• Detecting and addressing diesel bug
  So-called diesel bug results from microbial contamination, which can lead to black sludge, blockages, and corrosion. We analyze your fuel samples for bacterial and fungal contamination and support you in taking preventive measures before any damage occurs.
• Contamination in storage tanks
  Our tests detect microbial activity as well as chemical pollutants in tank and storage systems. This is particularly important to ensure fuel quality over long storage periods and to avoid operational downtime.