American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) sets technical standards for materials, products, systems and services.

Biodiesel is like most other fuels. When processed the fuel must go through a series of tests to certify that the fuel is of the proper quality. Fuel that doesn’t pass often is called a “Bad Batch”. Bad Batches can damage a vehicle and cost thousands in repairs. When a batch is made it must pass American Society for Testing Materials standards or ASTM D6751 (biodiesel specific). These tests make sure that the fuel is good, that there aren’t any impurities or things that will damage the vehicle. Any fuel that this collaboration makes will be ASTM certified. To do this we will incorporate an ASTM testing lab in the refinery facility. We will be able to test every batch to ensure proper quality and certification. The lab will also be utilized for educational purposes and to offer our testing services to other areas, such as, other biodiesel producers, other fuel tests, lubricity, and oil certifications.

The Keene State College Fuel Quality and Emissions Testing Laboratory will have two major priorities:  1) to verify the quality of biodiesel produced by BBR or by other biofuel manufacturers in the region and 2) to expand the college’s current fuel emissions and exposure assessment program.   The 5,000 square foot facility, co-located with the BBR refinery process, will house a state of the art ASTM fuel quality assessment laboratory and engine emissions dynamometer skids.

The primary priority for the Fuel Quality Laboratory is to evaluate the quality of BBR biofuels to verify compliance with ASTM 6751 requirements.  To serve as a regional petroleum, biofuels, and lubricants quality testing laboratory, national accreditation will be essential.  Funds will be dedicated to achieve federal analytical laboratory certification from UL and designation as a BQ9000 quality laboratory by the national biodiesel board.  With these designations, it is expected that the Fuels Quality Laboratory will expand its profitability by providing contract analytical services for an increasing number of manufacturers across the northeast region