This specification covers nominally anhydrous denatured fuel ethanol intended for blending with unleaded or leaded gasolines for use as a spark-ignition automotive engine fuel. Denatured fuel ethanol shall conform to the specified performance requirements for the following: ethanol content, methanol, solvent-washed gum, water content, denaturant content, inorganic chloride content, copper content, acidity, pHe, sulfur content, sulfate content, appearance, and specific gravity. The only denaturants used for fuel ethanol shall be natural gasoline, gasoline components, or unleaded gasoline at the minimum concentration prescribed. Prohibited denaturants include methanol which does not meet the specified requirement, pyrroles, turpentine, ketones, and tars (high-molecular weight pyrolysis products of fossil or nonfossil vegetable matter). Sampling, containers, and sample handling techniques, and the test methods for determining conformance to the specified requirements are given.

1.1 This specification covers nominally anhydrous denatured fuel ethanol intended to be blended with unleaded or leaded gasolines at 1 % to 15 % by volume for use as automotive spark-ignition engine fuel covered by Specification D4814 as well as other fuel applications or specifications involving ethanol. The significance of this specification is shown in Appendix X1.

1.2 Jurisdictions may vary in their regulatory requirements for the allowable or prohibited types of denaturants, chemical composition of the denaturant or concentration of denaturant needed to denature the ethanol. The user is advised to check with the national and regional regulatory agencies where the ethanol is denatured and used.

1.2.1 Specific regulatory requirements for denatured fuel ethanol and acceptable denaturants from various jurisdictions are given in Appendixes for information.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.

1.3.1 Exception—Values given in parentheses are provided for information only. Non-SI units are shown in the Appendix if they are in a direct quotation from government regulations. In most cases, U.S. federal regulations specify non-SI units.

1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the method modification in 8.7 of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.