ASTM: Gasoline Today and Tomorrow – An Executive Report

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Octane Week | ASTM: Gasoline Today and Tomorrow - An Executive Report (from p7) speciation study to determine if a portion of the hydrogen sulfide concentration had in fact been converted to other sulfur species. So while Lyondell- Citgo observed hydrogen sulfide levels declining over time, it is possible that the samples became more corrosive. “Based on the results of the Lyondell-Citgo study, a decision was made to do a ruggedness study prior to going forward with the ILS,” Bly told task force members. “The goal is to prepare and ship four samples to four separate labs to evaluate replicate results from the same bottle using each of the four methods, where results will need to be tested within a week of samples being prepared.” When it gets underway, the ILS will test four silver corrosion methods, two based on a modified ASTM D130 copper strip test, substituting silver for copper; one based on a modified IP227; and Petro-Canadaʼs rapid ultrasonic silver wool method 1005-03. The four leaders, Sonia Bain of Marathon, Imran Hussami of Frontier Oil, Scott Fenwick of Intertek Caleb Brett and Petro-Canadaʼs David Surette, will conduct the ruggedness study. The extra step throws the Silver Corrosion Task Force off schedule for completing its work in time for a silver method or methods to be added to D4814 by December. The group had hoped to conduct and complete the ILS this spring and report results at the recently held ASTM meeting in Toronto. That would have enabled D02.A. to prepare a ballot polling member support for replacing D4814ʼs temporary silver corrosion test method, a modified D-130, with one or more of the proposed methods. The ballot process would have been conducted this summer and would have enabled the group to complete its task in two years, a goal established by D02.A Chairman Ben Bonazza when D02.05.C had initially convened the silver corrosion task force in December 2004. “Silver corrosion is a very tricky issue,” acknowledged a Toronto meeting attendee. ASTM Sulfur Methodology Studied as ULSD, New Tier 2 Limits Approach In December 2005, ASTM took up sulfur methodology. A task group had been working to improve ASTM D 2622-03, which measures fuel sulfur by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. There were questions about the methodʼs capability to measure fuel sulfur at the low levels required by the U.S. EPAʼs clean fuels rules next year. ASTM members were to have a chance to see what was termed “sweeping revisions” to D 2622-03, as well as a separate Standard Practice document developed around the revised method. In 2001, ASTM conducted an extensive round-robin test of sulfur methods, which determined the precision of older, lower-power as well as newer, higher-power instruments. The round robin revealed that the pooled limit of quantitation is in the range of 15 – 20 ppm. That means, even at its best, D 2622-03 might not be up to the task of measuring the new, ultra-low sulfur diesel levels, said a refiner we spoke with. ULSD with a 15 ppm sulfur cap will be required beginning in June 2006. The effort to revise the method will be useful not only for ULSD but also for the tightening of the Tier 2 gasoline rule to a 30 ppm annual average sulfur level, which takes effect in January 2006. The task group is proposing a round robin, which will also reportedly test D 4294 Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum Products by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry. – Carol Cole 8 February 2007
Octane Week | ASTM: Gasoline Today and Tomorrow - An Executive Report EPA Updates Fuel Regulations With Latest ASTM Standards This story appeared in the April 10, 2006, edition of Octane Week. The U.S. EPAʼs gasoline and diesel fuel regulations are getting updated with the latest ASTM test methods. The federal environmental agency issued a Direct Final Rule in April 2006 that updates several aspects of regulations and adds a new section on rounding practices. One of the most significant results is the decision to add ASTM D7039-04 as an additional, alternative test method for determining the sulfur content of gasoline. X-Ray Optical Systems (XOS) requested that EPA make its technology the designated test method. “EPA has evaluated XOSʼs request on this test method and agrees,” the agency said. EPA will allow ASTM D7039-04 as an alternative test method, provided that results are correlated to ASTM D2622, which is currently a designated test method for measuring sulfur in gasoline. XOS manufactures the SINDIE 7039 bench top analyzer, which uses monochromatic, wavelengthdispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. According to the company, the unit detects sulfur to 0.4 ppm. XOS also makes an on-line SINDIE analyzer. Several gasoline and diesel fuel test methods are being updated as a result of the American Petroleum Instituteʼs (API) urging that EPA use the most current ASTM methods. Currently, • D2622 is a designated test method for measuring sulfur in gasoline, and D3120 and D5453 are alternatives, • D1319 is the designated method for measuring olefins in gasoline and aromatics in diesel and it is an alternative for measuring aromatics in gasoline, and • D4815 is an alternative test method for measuring oxygenate content in gasoline. API asked EPA to use the year 2003 versions of the test methods. D2622-03, API pointed out, includes an updated precision statement determined by recent round robin testing. EPA agreed with that and APIʼs other recommendations. The other updated methods will be D3120-03a, D5453-03a, D1319-03 and D4815-03. D1319 and D4815 were to be sunset in 2004, but EPA allowed their continued use until the end of 2006. EPA is withdrawing the sunset provision for the test methods. Use of these two methods can continue until EPA develops a performance-based test method (PBTM) for qualifying alternatives. At that time, these and other alternatives may qualify as alternative test methods under the BPTM. ASTM D6428-99 is also getting an update. It is currently the designated test method for measuring sulfur in on-road diesel at 15 ppm, an alternative test method at 500 ppm and an alternative for measuring sulfur in gasoline. The 2003 version contains a precision statement that was lacking in the 1999 version. The method including the precision statement is D6920-03, which will replace the earlier version. Another method getting an update is that for detecting sulfur in butane. Currently, ASTM D3246-96 is the designated method. API asked EPA to designate D667-01 and allow D3246-96 as an alternative. The agency will make D667-01 the designated test method for measuring sulfur in butane, and D3246-96 will continue to be allowed as an alternative, provided results are correlated to D667-01. Finally, EPA is adding a new section to the fuels regulations that will reference the rounding method used in ASTM. The number of significant digits in an EPA specification can differ from that in an ASTM test method. The standard practice in ASTM E29-02 should be followed in this situation. February 2007 9
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