Presentation Profile
Improved Process Blending Through Micro Distillation
Currently Scheduled: 1/19/2018 - 10:20 AM - 10:40 AM
Room: Exhibit Hall
Main Author
Henry Montoya - PAC
Abstract:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the use of E10 (90% gasoline/10% ethanol) fuels in light duty vehicles. Fuel grade ethanol is blended in nearly all of the nation’s conventional E10 and reformulated gasoline as well as other blends such as E85 (85% gasoline/15% ethanol). Fuel quality regulations and specifications vary by state. Some may adopt all or a portion of ASTM D4814 Standard Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel and require any ethanol blended into gasoline meet ASTM D4806 Standard Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for Blending with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel. With constant changes in quality and the composition of the fuels available, hitting the ultimate blend target is a significant challenge. A primary physical property parameter for gasoline is distillation, according to ASTM D86 Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure or the equivalent ASTM D7345 Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure (Micro Distillation Method). Continuous process data has proven to help blenders optimize the blend variables to hit the fuels target and still be in compliance with environmental authorities. This poster discusses the use of Micro Distillation in a process, for improving ethanol blending in gasoline by providing a full distillation curve, every 10-12 minutes, while correlating to the traditional D86 results.
