SRPS B.H8.132:2012

Standard test method for determination of MTBE, ETBE, TAME, DIPE, tertiary-Amyl alcohol and C1 to C4 alcohols in gasoline by gas chromatography

Scope

This test method covers the determination of ethers and alcohols in gasolines by gas chromatography. Specific compounds determined are methyl tert-butylether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butylether (ETBE), tert-amylmethylether (TAME), diisopropylether (DIPE), methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, sec-butanol, n-butanol, and tert-pentanol (tert-amylalcohol).
Individual ethers are determined from 0.20 to 20.0 mass %. Individual alcohols are determined from 0.20 to 12.0 mass %. Equations used to convert to mass % oxygen and to volume % of individual compounds are provided. At concentrations <0.20 mass %, it is possible that hydrocarbons may interfere with several ethers and alcohols. The reporting limit of 0.20 mass % was tested for gasolines containing a maximum of 10 volume % olefins. It may be possible that for gasolines containing >10 volume % olefins, the interference may be >0.20 mass %.
Alcohol-based fuels, such as M-85 and E-85, MTBE product, ethanol product, and denatured alcohol, are specifically excluded from this test method. The methanol content of M-85 fuel is considered beyond the operating range of the system.
Benzene, while detected, cannot be quantified using this test method and must be analyzed by alternate methodology.