Getting Ready for Regulated Ethanol in Gasoline

On October 7th, 2005, the Government of Ontario filed Regulation 535/05, which requires that gasoline sold in Ontario contain an average of five per cent ethanol, on an annual basis, beginning January 2007. The regulation will provide air quality benefits, for example reduced emissions of carbon monoxide and benzene, a known human carcinogen. It will also reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 800,000 tonnes on an annual basis, which is equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road.

What the Regulation Means for Fuel Dispensing Operations
Ethanol-blended gasoline has been widely distributed across the province for over 10 years. Ethanol accounted for approximately two per cent of the provincial gasoline pool in 2004. It is likely that many tank owners are already familiar with the steps that need to be taken when storing and distributing ethanol-blended gasoline.

Unlike gasoline, ethanol has a high affinity for water and tends to loosen the heavier gasoline components (sludge) that can accumulate over time in gasoline storage tanks. Because of these properties, owners/operators of fuel dispensing facilities (i.e., retail outlets, private fuel outlets) that plan on storing ethanol-blended gasoline should follow a few simple steps prior to their first delivery to ensure fuel quality and safety:

Check tank compatibility – The vast majority of underground storage tanks currently in service in Ontario are compatible with ethanol-blended gasoline. Since 1986, all steel tanks and all fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks have been manufactured to be fully compatible with ethanol-blended gasoline. However, there are some older tanks that may not be fully compatible.

• All FRP tanks manufactured prior to 1979 are prohibited from storing ethanol-blended fuels under the Liquid Fuels Handling Code. However, these tanks can be used to store ethanol-blended gasoline provided an ethanol-compatible lining is installed
• Some FRP tanks manufactured between 1979 and 1986 may not be fully compatible with ethanol-blended gasoline. The issue is that the ethanol modifies the resin used in these tanks and softens the tank -- under extreme conditions (e.g., high water table) some deformation of the tank may occur. There has been no evidence of leaks in Canada or the United States associated with the storage of ethanol-blended gasoline. However, for further information, owners/operators with these types of tanks may wish to consult with their tank manufacturer.
• Most lining materials used to prevent leakage in single-wall steel tanks are compatible with ethanol-blended gasoline. However, some epoxy and polyester linings may deteriorate. If a tank was lined due to leakage with these materials, the leak could recur. For further information, owners/operators may wish to consult the product compatibility information.

Remove all deposits from the tank(s) - As described earlier, the tar-like sludge that tends to accumulate over time in all gasoline storage tanks may loosen in ethanol-blended gasoline. If left unchecked, these deposits can accumulate in vehicle fuel filters. Therefore, to ensure fuel quality and avoid engine performance problems associated with clogged fuel filters, storage tanks should be thoroughly cleaned prior to first delivery of ethanol-blended gasoline.

Ensure that there is no water in the tank(s) - Tank owners should also ensure that there is no water in the tank. If there is any water in the tank, it can lead to “phase separation” where the ethanol separates from the gasoline and mixes instead with the water at the bottom of the tank – potentially leaving a tank full of sub-octane or poor quality gasoline.

Install filters on the fuel dispensers – To minimize the risk of filter clogging, fuel dispensers should be fitted with a 10-micron filter to catch any deposits that may have accumulated in the tank since the initial cleaning.

Regular Gasoline is Still an Option
The regulation allows for the sale of non-ethanol-blended gasoline. As the regulation calls for an average of five per cent ethanol, the regulation allows the marketplace to determine if it will be sold.

Where to Get More Information
For more information about the regulation and best practices for storing/handling ethanol-blended gasoline, and other issues relevant to the ethanol in gasoline regulation, please go to www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/ethanol/index.htm

For more information about the compatibility of ethanol with fibre-reinforced plastic tanks and existing owner/operator obligations under the Liquid Fuels Handling Code, refer to the information provided by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority at http://www.tssa.org/regulated/fuels/default.asp