The role of MTBE and other oxygenates under lead phasedown

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5265256

Piel, W J

Since the early days of refining, lead has been traditionally the refiner's only external source of octane providing as many as 10 to 12 octane numbers in his gasoline pool when higher concentrations were allowed. Since the early 1970's the EPA and other government agencies through various regulations have been 'weaning' the industry away from this external octane source; first with the introduction of unleaded gasoline and more recently by reducing lead's allowable concentrations on the basis of it being an undesirable chemical in the environment. MTBE will most likely become the oxygenate of choice in the U.S. by growing to fill 15 to 20 percent of the octane need created by the recently accelerated lead phasedown and will eventually become a true commodity octane product. Most of the MTBE will probably be used in the premium grades due to the added flexibility it allows the refiner in maximizing his premium production.

• OSTI ID: 5265256
• Report Number(s): CONF-8603113-
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
021000 -- Petroleum-- Legislation & Regulations
023000* -- Petroleum-- Properties & Composition
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
ADDITIVES
ALKANES
ANTIKNOCK RATINGS
ETHERS
FUEL ADDITIVES
FUELS
GASOLINE
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRY
LEAD COMPOUNDS
LIQUID FUELS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OCTANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS
TEL
UNLEADED GASOLINE
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS