Interested parties are invited to join in the development of a proposed ASTM International standard for determining the non-volatile residue in ethanol and ethanol solutions. ASTM’s committee on bioenergy and industrial chemicals from biomass (E48) is developing the proposed standard. 

According to ASTM International member Kari Cook, monitoring non-volatile residue  content is an important aspect of maintaining product quality. 

“Ethanol producers and laboratories will find this standard useful for determining the non-volatile residue content of their product or when completing the analysis,” says Cook, quality manager, Poet Biorefining. “Regulatory bodies may find this standard useful in the future.” 

The proposed standard test method will mirror ASTM’s test method for gum content in fuels by jet evaporation (D381) but will be tailored to fit the specific needs of the testing market, notes Cook. 

This effort directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 on good health and well-being. The proposed standard supports the use of ethanol as a sanitizing agent. 

Cook says that anyone who is supplying ethanol for hand sanitizer and surfacer cleaner manufacturers is encouraged to join in the development of the proposed standard (WK76255). Representatives from laboratories that perform existent gum content testing are welcome to join as well.

Media Inquiries: Jaime Martorana, tel +1.610.832.9796; jmartorana@astm.org  
Committee Contact: Brian Milewski, tel +1.610.832.9619; bmilewski@astm.org  

Release #11211

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