1. Vehicle Fuel Quality Workshop Fuel Ethers in Europe
August 22, 2006
Graeme Wallace
Director General, EFOA
For further information, visit us at

2. European Fuel Oxygenates Association www.efoa.org
Founded in 1985
9 members; representing 80% of European ether capacity
Non-profit, technical organisation
Dedicated to the responsible usage of ethers – MTBE, ETBE and TAME – in gasoline
Disseminates research on the benefits and impact of ethers on health and environment
Believes in the application of sound scientific principles and promotes constructive co-operation with all stakeholders: regulators, legislators, industry, NGOs

3. Oil Consumption Europe 15.6MBD OECD Pacific 8.63MBD
North America 25.5MBD
Source: IEA

4. Gasoline in Europe Market around 120 million tonnes per year
Consumption slowly declining
Properties controlled by Fuels Directive 98/70/EC
Allows gasoline to contain up to 15% fuel ethers
Directive currently under review
No reduction in allowable ether concentration proposed

5. European Gasoline Consumption by Grade
ULP95
ULR91
ULS98
EU-15 total Petrol Consumption = Mill T/Y
EU-25 “ “ “ = “ “
EU-25 Fuel-Ethers Production Capacity = “ “

6. Changing EU Fuel Quality
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (EN228)
Year
1993
1995
2000
2005
2009
Sulphur ppm m/m max
1000
500
150
50/10 10
Benzene % v/v max 5 1
Aromatics % v/v max 42 35
Olefins %v/v max 18
Oxygen % m/m max
2.5
2.7 ??
RVP (Summer) kPa max 80 60
E100 % v/v min
40(s)/43(w) 46
FBP Deg C max
215
210

7. Comparison – EU & Philippines
Unleaded Gasoline
Property EU
Philippines
Sulphur ppm m/m max
50/10
500
Benzene % v/v max 1 2
Aromatics % v/v max 35
Ethers %v/v max 15
Oxygen % m/m max
2.7 -
RVP (DVPE) kPa max
90/60
85/62
Octane Rating, min
RON
MON 95 85
81/93/95
AntiKnock Index (AKI)
87.5

8. Ether Use in EU25 EU Fuel Quality Survey – Euro Super
Source: European Commission

9. European policy in favour of biofuels
Directive 2003/30 “Promotion of biofuels for transport”
Establishes indicative targets of 2% in 2005 and 5.75% in 2010
Reference value based on energy content of fuel
Each Member State to set national targets (report 2004 & 2006)
Commission to report progress by end-2006
Biofuels officially include ETBE and bio-MTBE

10. EU-25 MSs National BioFuel Targets* 2005
EU Biofuels Directive 2003/30/EC Indicative Target ns ns ns ns ns ns
EU-25 Average Implementation Plans’ Objectives
*ETOH-equivalent
Source: Lyondell – W.Mirabella

11. European Fuel-Ethers Market: “Bio” vs, Conventional
… Bio-Ethers Share Increasing: Currently ~1/3rd
Source: Lyondell – W.Mirabella

12. Fuel Ether Production Capacities 2005
BOTLEK
EUROPORT
GELEEN
PERNIS
COLOGNE
HEIDE
KARLSRUHE 163
MARL
SCHWEDT
SCHWEDT
VOHBURG
WESSELING 65
SCHWECHAT 65
STENUNGSUND 50
PORVOO 110
PORVOO
MAZEIKIAI 80
ANTWERP a 183
ANTWERP b 204
204
PLOCK 120
PLOCK b 204
KRALUPY 92
FAWLEY
GRIMSBY
KILLINGHOLME 82
MAZYR
NOVOPOLOTSK 41 50
DUNKERQUE
FEYZIN
FOS SUR MER 612
GONFREVILLE 75
BRATISLAVA 52 80
SZAZHALOMBATTA a 55
SZAZHALOMBATTA b 53
TISZAUJVAROS
147
304
KREMENCHUG 24
ALGECIRAS
BILBAO
HUELVA
LA CORUNA
PUERTOLLANO 67
TARRAGONA a 54
TARRAGONA b 71
324
980
798
387 24 92
SISAK 24 52
836 65
SINES 50
180
220
MTBE
Planned
ETBE 24
TAME 35
MIDIA
ONESTI
PITESTI
PLOIESTI a 20
PLOIESTI b 25 82 50
422
579
GELA
MILAZZO
PRIOLO
RAVENNA
SANNAZZARO 41
SARROCH
110
BOURGAS 82
ASPROPYRGOS 65
CORINTH
NOVI SAD 35

13. Excellent Octane Improvers
Cost-effective
Excellent Octane Improvers
Have high octane rating and low volatility, enabling substitution of other octane components such as aromatics
                  
Motor Octane Number
Research Octane Number
Blending Vapour Pressure (kPa)
Boiling point (°C)
Water tolerance
MTBE ETBE TAME
Excellent Excellent Excellent
Ethanol 96
130
200* 78
Very poor
Gasoline
82-88
92-98
70-100
26-230
* 5% in gasoline: derived from Abengoa data

14. Good for the environment
Improves Air Quality
MTBE reduces emissions from all types of petrol vehicles, regardless of their emission-control technology
How?
How much?
Direct effect
Oxygen allows more complete fuel combustion
CO: Reduces emissions by same % as content in petrol
Each 1 or 2% of MTBE typically lead to a 1% reduction in total HC emissions
Indirect effect
High octane and other properties allow to dilute other, less desirable, gasoline pool components
Magnitude depends on eg MTBE content, vehicle emissions control technology, type/age of engine, driving cycle
MTBE reduces direct VOCs' Ozone Forming Potential (OFP); generates about half of the ozone of typical gasoline hydrocarbons and one-tenth that of aromatics
Fuel ethers widely used all over the world for over 30 years as a safe and clean “octane enhancer”, substituting lead

15. Best environmental outlet for C4’s
Good for the environment
Best environmental outlet for C4’s
FCC units & steam crackers produce mixed (linear and iso) C4 stream as co-product
Direct use in gasoline is greatly reduced because of:
High vapour pressure
High atmospheric reactivity
Ethers best environmental outlet

16. Best environmental outlet for C4’s
Good for the environment
Best environmental outlet for C4’s
For a refinery integrated with petrochemical industry most economic approach is;
Convert isobutylene into a fuel ether
Use linear butylenes to make alkylate
Both alkylate and fuel ethers are clean, high octane, non-aromatic components
Ethers superior octane performance offers refiner better blending flexibility

17. Compatible
Cost-effective
California State Water Resources Control Board’s Advisory Panel literature assessment for the period
No documented materials incompatibility issues for retail stations dispensing reformulated fuels containing ethers up to 15% v/v MTBE
At 15% in gasoline, the effects of MTBE (on polymer compatibility) do not compromise equipment integrity

18. Problem-free for Existing Car Park
Cost-effective
Problem-free for Existing Car Park
Car makers current and draft worldwide fuel charters state
On the basis of emissions benefits, vehicle performance and existing regulations when oxygenates are used ethers are preferred
Ethers have been successfully used in Europe for 30 years at levels up to 15%

19. Ethers: fit as gasoline components
Ethers a sustainable option
Ethers: fit as gasoline components
European policy focuses on science and facts relating to health, environmental and fuel specification topics
MTBE: European Risk Assessment conducted
No risks to human health, consumers and atmosphere expected
Specific measures to limit the risks in relation to the aesthetic quality of ground water (taste and odour)
Proposals mainly dealing with the construction and operation of petrol underground storage and distribution facilities at service stations

20. Ethers: fit as gasoline components
Ethers a sustainable option
Ethers: fit as gasoline components
ETBE: comprehensive physico-chemical, environmental and health data set supplied to EU
Data under assessment by EU Competent Authorities
Same conclusions as for MTBE
TAME: European Risk Assessment conducted
Similar conclusions to MTBE

21. EU Risk Reduction Strategy: Main recommendations
Ethers a sustainable option
EU Risk Reduction Strategy: Main recommendations
Environment
Establish monitoring programmes to permit early detection of contaminated groundwater
Establish minimum requirements for technical and operational aspects of petrol underground storage and distribution facilities at service stations
Include rules for MTBE-containing waste waters
Workers protection (maintenance operations and automotive repair)
Prescribe adequate protection to avoid skin irritancy
Exposure to man via the environment
Above measures, aimed at protecting groundwater, are considered sufficient to prevent the contamination of drinking water

22. MTBE Risk Reduction Strategy
Ethers a sustainable option
MTBE Risk Reduction Strategy
Actions taken by Member States/EU
EU: SCOEL proposing OEL of 50ppm (8h TWA)
FIN: Service stations require environmental permit which includes groundwater monitoring requirements
FIN: On-going project aimed at optimising monitoring design and practice for service stations
FIN: Mandatory technical requirements on equipment, construction and safe operation of service stations put in place Q3, 2003

23. MTBE Risk Reduction Strategy
Ethers a sustainable option
MTBE Risk Reduction Strategy
Actions taken by Industry
The Institute of Petroleum has produced Guidelines for Soil, Groundwater and Surface Water Protection and Vapour Emission Controls at Petrol Filling Stations which covers issues of design, construction, operation & maintenance at such sites. They have also issued Guidelines for Risk Assessment for the Water environment at Operational Fuel Storage & Dispensing Facilities.
CONCAWE published in 2003 revised guidelines for a risk assessment process for site clean up in the event of spills or leakage.
All these documents deal with the overall issue of petrol storage and handling and so incorporate components such as MTBE.
Individual operators have extensive operation and maintenance procedures along with spill response strategies for petrol storage and distribution facilities.

24. MTBE Risk Reduction Strategy
Ethers a sustainable option
MTBE Risk Reduction Strategy
Actions taken by Industry
EFOA has produced an MTBE Resource Guide, which explains how to prevent contamination by gasoline containing MTBE, and describes emergency response and remediation techniques
EFOA also provides seminars and advice to interested parties on a regular basis
The MTBE resource guide is available on the EFOA website:

25. Ethers a sustainable option
USA vs Europe
The American situation is unique
Detection tolerances meant that a spill of up to 5 gallons of gasoline per tank, per day (18.9 litres/tank/day) was possible at US service stations. A leak of that amount would not be tolerated in Europe.
In the US the dispensing system is pressurised to achieve high volume delivery. This will exacerbate any leaks.
In Europe all service stations must have drainage to a separator
In the US, important economic interests in favour of alternative octane enhancers, such as ethanol, drove the campaign against MTBE.

26. Ethers a sustainable option
USA vs Europe
In the United States, significant improvements to the underground storage tank (UST) program seem to have successfully reduced most MTBE detections to concentrations far below the 20 to 40 ppb suggested by the US EPA to avoid MTBE's unpleasant odour and taste.
The U.S. Geological Survey has testified before the U.S. Congress that MTBE contamination is at very low concentration levels and in summary considered MTBE to be a minor problem.
According to the California Department of Health Services, UST upgrades have dramatically improved groundwater protection. Data indicate that as USTs are upgraded the concentration level and frequency of MTBE detections is levelling off and beginning to decline.

27. Ethers a sustainable option
Conclusions
Europe leads the world by remaining focused on sound science and good management of infrastructure and logistics
MTBE and the other fuel ethers will remain key gasoline components in the EU25 at levels up to and possibly beyond 15%

28. Maraming Salamat Po

29. EU Risk Assessment Report: Main Conclusions
Ethers a sustainable option
EU Risk Assessment Report: Main Conclusions
Risks are not expected and risk reduction measures already being applied are considered sufficient for:
Human health
Consumers
Atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystem
Micro-organisms in sewage treatment plants
Need to limit risks for:
Workers in car repair industry exposed to local skin effects
Groundwater contaminated due to leaking storage tanks
Population potentially exposed to contaminated drinking water due to leaking storage tanks

30. Ethers a sustainable option
ADL Report
Report for the European Commission on “MTBE and the Requirements for Underground Storage Tank Construction and Operation in Member States”
Two key conclusions:
“Widespread MTBE contamination on the same scale as in the USA (especially California) is unlikely. The risk of groundwater contamination is unlikely to increase, given important differences between the USA and the EU, although robust enforcement of the existing Member State regulatory framework is required to ensure this risk remains low in the future.”
“Adequate enforcement of Member State requirements for the construction and operation of UST systems is the key to safeguarding water quality in the EU”

31. EU Risk Assessment: Flowchart
Industry comments
Further info
Further testing
Class & Lab
proposals
Classification
and
labelling
SCOEL
OEL Directive
Recommendations
affecting
OELs
Manufacturers
Importers
RA on internet
OJ Publication
Risk reduction measures
Risk reduction strategy
Competent Authorities
Final version + Summary
OJ Draft
SCHER
Final version of the RAR (TM level)
Technical Meetings ("TMs")
Several versions
Rapporteur:
Drafts RARs
Priority Lists
Data: Hedset
Data compilation: IUCLID
Risk reduction measures

32. EU Regulatory Status of MTBE, ETBE & TAME
Ethers a sustainable option
EU Regulatory Status of MTBE, ETBE & TAME
MTBE
ETBE
TAME
Risk Assessment
Yes
Published December 2001 ; Addendum September 2004 No
Environment agreed September 2004; Human Health agreed March 2005
Risk Reduction
Storage & groundwater
To be finalised
Groundwater
Article 12(2) of Regulation 793/93
Not relevant as risk assessment carried out.
Data reviewed at November 2005
TC NES. To be finalised April 21 by written procedure.
Classification & Labelling
29th ATP (May 2004)
F; R11 Xi; R38
F; R11; R67 (Proposed)
31st ATP (to be published in 2006)
F; R11 Xn; R22 R67
OECD Assessed
SIAM 11, January 2001
SIAM21, October 2005
SCOEL
Final report adopted in March 2005.
50ppm 8h TWA & 100ppm STEL proposed. Publication awaited.

33. Ethers a sustainable option
Groundwater
100
Ether & Refining Industry must continue to improve UST’s
Source: Gibbs, L., 1998.  Oxygenate Use in Gasoline

34. Ethers a sustainable option
MTBE - Remediation
The large array of well-proven remediation technologies for treating soil and groundwater contaminated by conventional gasoline are applicable to gasoline containing MTBE but more treatment is required.
air-stripping,
adsorption using activated carbon
biological degradation.
Traditional pump-and-treat technologies available for water plants have also proven effective for dealing with water contaminated with gasoline containing MTBE.
MTBE is a biodegradable substance
Aerobic decomposition occurs in natural conditions
Anaerobic decomposition of MTBE is slow, but can often be readily improved by oxygen feed, extra nutrients and microbe augmentation