BRITISH QUESTION USE OF OXYGENATES IN GASOLINE

British petroleum companies have told government that adding oxygenates to gasoline may not be the most cost effective way to cut vehicle emissions. A U.K. Department of Environment official said the department is considering oxygenates in motor fuel, although not for inclusion in air quality legislation under debate in Parliament.

April 10, 1995

2 min read

British petroleum companies have told government that adding oxygenates to gasoline may not be the most cost effective way to cut vehicle emissions.

A U.K. Department of Environment official said the department is considering oxygenates in motor fuel, although not for inclusion in air quality legislation under debate in Parliament.

The U.K. Petroleum Industry Association (Ukpia) said it is not clear that oxygenates offer environmental benefits on balance. Addition of oxygenates to U.K. fuel would cost 400 million ($600 million)/year, Ukpia said, which would inevitably be passed on to motorists.

Ukpia reckons Britain would have to import oxygenates for 4 years while production plants were being built.

"The main benefit of oxygenates is reduced emissions of carbon monoxide," Ukpia said, "but the U.K. does not have a serious carbon monoxide problem.

"The most worrying aspect of oxygenates is higher emissions of aldehydes, which are carcinogenic and very active in promoting ozone which contributes to formation of smog, a major concern to asthmatics."

REDUCING EMISSIONS

Ukpia calculates that using gasoline with a 15% methyl tertiary butyl ether content will reduce carbon monoxide emissions by more than 20% in cars without catalytic converters and 10-20% in cars with catalytic converters.

Emissions of hydrocarbons also would be reduced 2-10% by addition of MTBE, Ukpia said. Emissions of benzene would be reduced by as much as 10%, but this would be simply because of dilution of gasoline with MTBE.

Ukpia said 15% MTBE usage would increase emissions of aldehydes by 10-20% and increase nitrous oxides from cars fitted with catalytic converters by 5%.

"The best way to improve air quality is to identify air quality targets we want and find the most cost-effective way to meet them," said David Parker, director general of Ukpia.

"In a joint program with the European Commission and European motor industry, the oil industry is identifying the best ways of meeting air quality targets set by the World Health Organization. This includes an analysis of the benefits of oxygenates. The results will be available this summer."