Author(s)

R. E. Woodward & R. L. Sloan

Abstract

Common myths and misconceptions about the behavior and impact of MTBE released from petroleum products R. E. woodward' & R. L. sloan2 '~ievva Environmental Services, Inc., Houston, TX 2 Lyondell Chemical Company, Channelview, TX Abstract Auto fuel regulatory-mandates, to decrease the aromatic content of fuels and to reduce exhaust emissions, have led to the expanded use of additives to oxygenate auto fuels in the European Union (EU) and United States (US). The economical ether oxygenates, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) or ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) are frequently the oxygenate of choice because they deliver oxygen without increasing the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) or altering the fungible characteristics of autofuel. However, transport of auto fuels by common carriers that also transport heating oil and other heavier petroleum products has lead to the discovery of trace concentrations of auto fuel in many petroleum products. Subsequent leaks and spills during storage and handling of p

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