1. Achieving Clean Air and Clean Fuel through MTBE
Dr. Graeme Wallace
European Fuel Oxygenates Association
Clean Fuels & MTBE Workshop
Doha, 23rd April 2013

2. Agenda Introduction European Air Quality
History of EU Fuel Quality Standards
Ether use in Europe
Benefits of MTBE
Conclusions

3. European Fuel Oxygenates Association
Founded in 1985
11 members; representing the majority of European ether capacity
Non-profit, technical organisation
The European Fuel Oxygenates Association (EFOA) is a sector group of CEFIC, the European Chemical Industry Council
EFOA is dedicated to the promotion of ethers as fuel components towards a cleaner and sustainable future.
EFOA is recognised by the European Commission as a stakeholder on fuel quality and biofuels

4. Agenda Introduction European Air Quality
History of EU Fuel Quality Standards
Ether use in Europe
Benefits of MTBE
Conclusions

5. European Air Quality Improvements

6. Over 20 Years of Air Quality Efforts - Auto/Fuel Directives
Objective: reach EU urban air quality standards through fuel and vehicle specifications
Two parallel directives initiated in 1992, adopted in 1998 and implemented from 2000
One directive setting fuel specifications, another setting car emission standards for new vehicles
Gasoline specifications: “undesirable” components/properties have been progressively reduced or removed
Lead
Sulphur
Benzene
Volatility
Now the focus is on reducing greenhouse gases/ CO2

7. European Emission Standards for Passenger Cars, g/km
Tier
Date CO
THC
NMHC
NOx
HC+NOx PM
P***
Diesel
Euro 1†
July 1992
2.72 (3.16) -
0.97 (1.13)
0.14 (0.18)
Euro 2
January 1996
1.0
0.7
0.08
Euro 3
January 2000
0.64
0.50
0.56
0.05
Euro 4
January 2005
0.25
0.30
0.025
Euro 5
September 2009
0.180
0.230
0.005
Euro 6 (future)
September 2014
0.080
0.170
Gasoline
2.2
0.5
2.3
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.068
0.060
0.005**
* Before Euro 5, passenger vehicles > 2500 kg were type approved as light commercial vehicles N1-I ** Applies only to vehicles with direct injection engines *** A number standard is to be defined as soon as possible and at the latest upon entry into force of Euro 6 † Values in brackets are conformity of production (COP) limits

8. Agenda Introduction European Air Quality
History of EU Fuel Quality Standards
Ether use in Europe
Benefits of MTBE
Conclusions

9. Changing EU Fuel Quality
Premium Unleaded Petrol (EN228)
Year
1993
1995
2000
2005
2010
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
3.7
RVP (Summer) kPa max 80 60
60(+)
E100 % v/v min
40(s)/43(w) 46
FBP Deg C max
215
210

10. Gasoline in Europe Directive 2009/30/EC No change to RON & MON specs
Reduction in life cycle GHG emissions
10ppm sulphur limit
Increases oxygen content to 3.7% m/m
Allows use of up to 22% v/v fuel ethers
Sets MMT limit
Member States may apply for volatility derogation if using ethanol
Subject to Commission approval
Demonstration of no negative environmental impact

11. Reduction in CO2 Emissions
Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC)
Mandatory national targets designed to deliver at least 20% share of EU energy from renewable sources in 2020
Mandatory 10% renewables in transport by 2020
Minimum GHG savings from biofuels of 35%
Savings increase to 50% in 2017 for existing plants and to 60% for new installations
Decision required on Indirect land use change (ILUC)
New targets for 2030 under discussion
Fuel Quality Directive
(2009/30/EC)
Gradual reduction in life cycle GHG emissions by 10% (per unit of energy) by 2020 versus fuel baseline standard
Mandatory: 6% by end 2020 (sustainable biofuels, alternative fuels, reduction in flaring and venting at production sites)
Optional Intermediate targets
2% by 2014
4% by 2017
Indicative: further 2% by end 2020 (electric vehicles, clean Carbon Capture & Storage)
Indicative: further 2% by end 2020 (emissions trading)

12. Agenda Introduction European Fuels Market
History of EU Fuel Quality Standards
Ether use in Europe
Benefits of Ethers
REACH
Conclusions

13. Gasoline consumption has declined by 25% Due to lower tax on diesel13

14. The European Gasoline Market Looks Simple
Consumption in 2009 By Grade
Source: European Commission

15. But National Bio-Blending Obligations Create Fragmentation
NORWAY
5,0%(v/v)
Parallel Targets
Petrol & Gasoil
FINLAND
6,0%(e/e)
Cumulative
Petrol + Gasoil
UNITED KINGDOM
4,5%(v/v)
Cumulative
Petrol + Gasoil
DENMARK
5,75%(e/e)
Cumulative
Petrol + Gasoil
LATVIA
5,0%(e/e)
Parallel Targets
Petrol & Gasoil
NETHERLANDS
5,25%(e/e)
Gasoil 3,5%(e/e)
Petrol 3,5%(e/e)
IRELAND
4,0%(v/v)
Cumulative
Petrol + Gasoil
POLAND
6,2%(e/e)
Cumulative
Petrol + Gasoil
BELGIUM
4,0%(e/e)
Parallel Targets
Petrol & Gasoil
GERMANY
6,25%(e/e)
Gasoil 4,4%(e/e)
Petrol 2,8%(e/e)
SLOVAKIA
5,75%(v/v)
Gasoil 5,2%(v/v)
Petrol 3,1%(v/v)
CZECH REPUBLIC
Gasoil 6,0%(v/v)
Petrol 4,1%(v/v)
FRANCE
7,0%(e/e)
Parallel Targets
Petrol & Gasoil
AUSTRIA
Gasoil 6,3%(e/e)
Petrol 3,4%(e/e)
PORTUGAL
5,0%(e/e)
Gasoil 6,75%(e/e)
Petrol 2,5% (e/e)
HUNGARY
4,0%(v/v)
Parallel Targets
Petrol & Gasoil
ROMANIA
Gasoil 5.0%(v/v)
Petrol 4.0%(v/v)
BULGARIA
Gasoil 4.0%(v/v)
Petrol 2.0%(v/v)
SPAIN
6,5% (e/e)
Gasoil 7,0%(e/e)
Petrol 4,10% (e/e)
ITALY
4.5%(e/e)
Cumulative
Petrol + Gasoil

16. European History of Fuel Ethers
MTBE first used in commercial gasoline in Italy in 1973
Snamprogetti (Italy) patented MTBE production process in 1974 (1976 in US)
Europe patents further process improvements
Hüls, Germany (1980)
IFP, France (1981)
In 1992 first use of ETBE in gasoline in France
Large scale production of TAME began in 1995 in Finland
First TAEE unit came on-stream in Germany in 2006

17. Fuel-Ethers Consumption EU 2011 ~4.5 Million Tons
TAME (4%)
ETBE
(50%)
MTBE*
(46%)
* Some is 2nd generation biofuel produced from methanol from waste
Source: Fuel Ether Reach Consortium, EFOA

18. Fuel-Ethers Content in EU27 Gasoline
Source: EU Commission «2009 EU Fuel Quality Monitoring» Report

19. Fuel-Ethers Content in EU Gasoline: 2006 EU25[1] Ethers Blending Average = 4.7%
[1] For LU and MT used 2005 figures as no data provided, Bulgaria and Romania did not participate in 2006
Source: Elaboration from: “EU Fuel Quality Monitoring – Report 2006”

20. Agenda Introduction European Air Quality
History of EU Fuel Quality Standards
Ether use in Europe
Benefits of MTBE
Conclusions

21. 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)
ETBE MTBE
TAME
Benzene
Toluene
P-Xylene
Ethanol 88 93 98 96
106
114
120
130 11 4 1
138* 80
111
138 78
EU Petrol
82-88
92-98
60-100
26-230
*10% in petrol; 200kPa at 5% in petrol: derived from Abengoa data

22. Improve Air Quality
Reduce emissions from all types of gasoline 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
it is estimated that for each 1 % of MTBE there is an equivalent percentage reduction in benzene emissions, both evaporative and exhaust.
Indirect effect
High octane and other properties allow to dilute other, less desirable, gasoline pool components
Magnitude depends on 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 and contributes to lower volatility

23. 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

24. 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

25. Compatible
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

26. 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%

27. European Approach to Chemicals
European policy focuses on science and facts relating to health and environmental risks
Previously with the Existing Substances Regulation (EEC) 793/93
Now with REACH (EEC) 1907/2006

28. Ethers: fit as gasoline components
MTBE: European Risk Assessment completed 2001
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 gasoline underground storage and distribution facilities at service stations

29. Ethers: fit as gasoline components
ETBE: comprehensive physical-chemical, environmental and health data set supplied to EU
Same conclusions as for MTBE
TAME: European Risk Assessment completed 2008
Similar conclusions to MTBE
MTBE will be assessed in 2014 as part of the on-going REACH community rolling action plan

30. Agenda Introduction European Air Quality
History of EU Fuel Quality Standards
Ether use in Europe
Benefits of MTBE
Conclusions

31. Conclusions
European approach to improving air quality by linking vehicle emissions and fuel specifications is being adopted around the world
European regulatoryapproach to fuel ethers based on sound science and control of infrastructure has proven successful
Due to their technical benefits fuel ethers continue to represent the majority of oxygenates used in Europe despite the rise of biofuels