Fuels Testing and Analysis Services
Emissions Analytics provides independent, high-resolution analysis to help you understand what is really in your fuel sample, whether you need characterisation, comparison or authentication. Our work supports research, product development, regulatory insight, and benchmarking across conventional fuels, biofuels, and emerging energy sources.
Fuels testing is the process of analysing the organic chemical composition and properties. As a separate but complimentary service, we can also perform a PEMS based test to measure real-world emissions and fuel consumption performance of fuels.
Standard laboratory techniques such as GC-MS are widely used for routine analysis. However, as fuels become more complex, particularly with renewable and blended fuels, deeper analytical methods are required to fully characterise their composition.
Fuels testing identifies what is present in a fuel. PEMS testing measures real-world emissions and fuel consumption once that fuel is in use.
Laboratory fuels analysis and real-world emissions testing answer different questions. One identifies what is present in a fuel, the other measures what happens when it is used.
What is fuels testing?
Biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are produced from a wide range of biological feedstocks. As a result, they contain many overlapping compounds with different volatilities and polarities. For many laboratories this complexity creates challenges in discovery, separation and identification.
Our fuels testing service provides independent, high-resolution analysis to help you understand what is really in your fuel sample, whether you need characterisation, comparison or authentication.
Our service offers:
Access to GCxGC-TOF-MS on demand
Independent interpretation and visualisation
Cost-effective alternative
Responsive turnaround of complex samples
Understanding the chemistry of renewable fuels
Emissions Analytics provides independent fuels testing focused on generating objective, data-led insight.
Testing is conducted using advanced analytical techniques, including comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC-TOF-MS), enabling detailed separation and identification of complex fuel mixtures.
This allows analysis beyond standard methods, particularly in cases where fuels contain overlapping compounds, trace elements, or unexpected contaminants.
As an independent organisation, the focus is not only on measurement, but on interpretation. This includes identifying variability between batches, understanding differences between fuels, and highlighting characteristics that may not be visible through standard testing approaches.
Independent fuels testing for detailed compositional insight
As fuel markets evolve, the complexity of fuel composition is increasing.
Renewable fuels such as HVO, SAF, and biodiesel often contain a wider range of compounds than conventional fuels. Standard analytical methods can capture the majority of these, but may miss critical components that may be relevant to emissions or long-term behaviour in real-world use.
Advanced techniques such as GC×GC-TOF-MS provide significantly higher resolution, enabling:
Improved separation of complex mixtures
Detection of trace compounds
More detailed group-type analysis
Enhanced qualitative and quantitative insight
This level of analysis is particularly valuable for understanding the “unknowns” in new fuel types, supporting both innovation and risk management.
Advanced fuel analysis for complex and renewable fuels
Fuels testing supports a wide range of applications across industries.
These include:
Fuel development and formulation: Understanding fuel composition to support emissions analysis in downstream testing
Batch variability and quality assessment: Identifying differences between fuel samples and ensuring consistency
Benchmarking and comparative analysis: Comparing fuels across suppliers, types, or technologies
Regulatory and environmental research: Supporting studies into emissions, pollutants, and sustainability
Failure investigation and diagnostics: Identifying contaminants or unexpected compounds that may be relevant to emissions performance
By applying consistent analytical methods, fuels can be compared directly, providing a clearer understanding of how they differ in practice.
Fuel testing applications
Independent fuels testing provides an objective view of fuel composition and behaviour.
Standard testing approaches, supplier data, and regulatory frameworks provide important information, but they do not always capture the full complexity of modern fuels.
Independent analysis allows fuels to be examined without predefined assumptions or constraints. This can reveal:
Compounds not detected in routine testing
Differences between expected and actual composition
Variability across batches or suppliers
Factors that may be relevant to emissions in real-world use
This creates a more complete and reliable understanding of fuels, supporting better decision-making across development, procurement, and policy.
Why independent fuels testing matters
FAQ questions
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Fuels testing is the analysis of fuel composition and properties, and provide insight that can be used alongside real-world testing. This includes identifying chemical compounds, measuring concentrations, and providing insight that can be used to interpret emissions in real-world testing.
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GC×GC-TOF-MS is an advanced analytical technique that provides higher resolution than standard GC-MS.
It separates complex mixtures more effectively, allowing for the detection and identification of compounds that may otherwise be missed. This is particularly important for analysing renewable fuels and complex blends.
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Standard fuel testing typically uses methods such as GC-MS, which are effective for most routine analysis.
Advanced fuel analysis uses higher-resolution techniques, such as GC×GC-TOF-MS, to examine complex fuels in more detail. This allows for better identification of trace compounds and more accurate characterisation of fuel composition.
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Yes. Emissions Analytics tests a wide range of fuels, including renewable fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and biodiesel.
These fuels often require more detailed analysis due to their complexity and variability.
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Yes. Advanced analytical techniques can detect trace contaminants and unexpected compounds that may affect fuel emissions.
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Fuels testing is carried out by a range of organisations, including standard testing laboratories, engineering consultancies, and independent analytical specialists.
Standard laboratories focus on routine compliance testing.
Engineering consultancies support development and optimisation.
Independent organisations focus on detailed analysis and interpretation of fuel composition.
Emissions Analytics specialises in independent, high-resolution fuels analysis.
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Independent fuels testing provides a more complete understanding of fuel composition.
By analysing fuels without predefined constraints, it is possible to identify compounds and behaviours that may not be captured in routine testing. This supports better insight, particularly for complex or emerging fuels.
Speak to our team
If you would like to understand more about fuels testing or discuss a specific project, get in touch with our team.
We can support everything from targeted analysis to broader research and benchmarking programmes.