5.1 Alcohols and ethers are added to gasoline to produce a reformulated lower emissions gasoline. Alcohols and ethers may also be added to gasoline to increase the octane number. Type and concentration of various oxygenates are specified and regulated to ensure acceptable commercial gasoline quality. Driveability, vapor pressure, phase separation, and evaporative emissions are some of the concerns associated with oxygenated fuels.

5.2 This test method is faster, simpler, less expensive and more portable than current methods.

5.3 This test method may be applicable for quality control in the production of gasoline.

5.4 This test method is not suitable for testing for compliance with federal regulations.3

5.5 False positive readings for some of the samples tested in the round robin were sometimes observed. As only extreme base gasolines were tested in the round robin, no definitive statement can be made as to the expected frequency or magnitude of false positives expected in a wider range of base gasolines.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of methanol, ethanol, tert-butanol, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), and diisopropyl ether (DIPE) in gasoline by infrared spectroscopy. The test method is suitable for determining methanol from 1.7 % to 5.5 % by mass, ethanol from 1.5 % to 10 % by mass, tert-butanol from 1.6 % to 12 % by mass, DIPE from 1.2 % to 17 % by mass, MTBE from 2.0 % to 16.4 % by mass, ETBE from 2.0 % to 18.5 % by mass, and TAME from 1.5 % to 18.5 % by mass.

1.2 This test method is applicable to oxygenate(s) in gasoline singularly or in multiple mixtures hereof according to the oxygenates and mass percent ranges given in 1.1.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 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.