Test methods to determine oxygenates, benzene, and the aromatic content of gasoline are necessary to assess product quality and to meet new fuel regulations.

This test method can be used for gasolines that contain oxygenates (alcohols and ethers) as additives. It has been determined that the common oxygenates found in finished gasoline do not interfere with the analysis of benzene and other aromatics by this test method.

1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination of oxygenates: methyl-t-butylether (MTBE), di-isopropyl ether (DIPE), ethyl-t-butylether (ETBE), t-amylmethyl ether (TAME), methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), 2-propanol (2-PrOH), t-butanol (t-BuOH), 1-propanol (1-PrOH), 2-butanol (2-BuOH), i-butanol (i-BuOH), 1-butanol (1-BuOH); benzene, toluene and C8-C12 aromatics, and total aromatics in finished motor gasoline by gas chromatography/Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (GC/FTIR).

1.2 This test method covers the following concentration ranges: 0.1-20 volume % per component for ethers and alcohols; 0.1-2 volume % benzene; 1-15 volume % for toluene, 10-40 volume % total (C6-C12) aromatics.

1.3 The method has not been tested by ASTM for refinery individual hydrocarbon process streams, such as reformates, fluid catalytic cracking naphthas, etc., used in blending of gasolines.

1.4 SI units of measurement are preferred and used throughout this test method.

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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.