Broadband permittivity sensor for biodiesel and blends

Abstract

Electrical properties have gained interest in biofuels applications due to advances in radio frequency and microwaveprocessing and characterization of biodiesel. In those applications, sensors play a key role since theaccurate measurement of electrical properties is needed. This work presents the design, construction and characterizationof a broadband (1kHz to 100MHz) permittivity sensor for biodiesel and blends. The sensor was characterizedin the temperature range from 293K to 343K in the full intended frequency range.The sensor is apt for industrial use, inexpensive, and easy to build and it has very low electrical losses. Forlow permittivity substances the measurement uncertainty is below 1%, up to 100MHz.