InnoVenton has positioned itself to provide comprehensive fuel product analysis and testing capabilities to support training, R&D and technical development of new and existing products.

The purpose of the Fuels testing facility at InnoVenton is:

  • To establish and maintain expertise for the measurement of the physical properties of fuel components and mixtures related to the performance of consumer fuel products;
  • To provide a comprehensive fuel and fuel product analysis and testing service to all stakeholders in the RSA and Southern African petroleum industry.
  • Selected methods are still under review.

With the release of SANS 1935:2004 for the production of Biodiesel, there is a specified list of tests that need to be conducted to qualify a fuel for use. InnoVenton participates in the SABS MAPS proficiency testing scheme.

Why biodiesel? …

Testing Capabilities

Property/Test Available Under development / not available yet.
Ester content *  
Density at 15 deg C *  
Kinematic viscosity at 40 deg C *  
Flash point *  
Sulfur content   *
Carbon residue *  
Cetane Number (IR) *  
Sulphated ash content *  
Water content *  
Total contamination *  
Copper strip corrosion *  
Oxidation stability *  
Acid value *  
Iodine value *  
Linoleic acid methyl ester *  
Polyunsaturated methyl esters *  
Glyceride content   *
Free and Total Glycerol   *
Group I Metals (Na and K)   *
Group II Metals (Ca and Mg)   *
Phosphorus content   *
Cold Filter Plugging Point *  
FAMES *  
Vapour Pressure *  
Energy value *  
Distillation Points (Boiling Point Range etc) *  
Cloud Point *  
Methanol Content *  

Some of the methods are under development and have been indicated as so in the Table above.

Hope Baloyi, PhD student, working on the MINIDIS ADXpert, an automated distillation analyzer that calculates the distillation curves of liquid fuels

Grabner equipment in the InnoVenton lab at Gomery Road