Characterization and identification of diesel fuels, biodiesel and their blends by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

A method based on time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) for characterization and identification of different petroleum diesel fuels, biodiesel from different feed stocksand their blends is introduced. The method uses an ultraviolet pulsed laser with excitation at 266 nm, measuring the dynamic response with a specific time gate width (time-resolved), and comparing it in terms of shape, frequency behavior and decay behavior (lifetime); also taking into account the maximal intensities and the wavelength of the maximal fluorescence intensity. The method provides information to distinguish quickly different diesel fuels. The method is useful in in-situ-detection of fluorophores in the ppb-range.