rich kolb engineering manager emissions, regulations, parts & accessories volvo penta of the...

BackgroundBackgroundBackgroundBackground• 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments required the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments required the

EPA to issue regulations for cleaner burning EPA to issue regulations for cleaner burning gasolinegasoline

• After 5 years of regulation - negotiation (RFG) After 5 years of regulation - negotiation (RFG) Phase I is required beginning 1/1/95, in 9 Phase I is required beginning 1/1/95, in 9 metropolitan areas designated ozone metropolitan areas designated ozone “nonattainment zones” “nonattainment zones” ( (New York, New York, Philadelphia, Hartford, Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, Hartford, Baltimore, Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston, San Diego, Los AngelesMilwaukee, Houston, San Diego, Los Angeles))

• RFG Phase II required January 1, 2000RFG Phase II required January 1, 2000

RFG GasolinesRFG GasolinesRFG GasolinesRFG Gasolines

• Based on the EPA’s simple model are Based on the EPA’s simple model are intended to reduce :intended to reduce :– volatile organic compounds (VOC) volatile organic compounds (VOC) – air toxic emissionsair toxic emissions

RFG GasolineRFG GasolineRFG GasolineRFG Gasoline

• Limits Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP)Limits Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP)– Measure of how quickly fuel evaporatesMeasure of how quickly fuel evaporates

• Limits the amount of benzeneLimits the amount of benzene

• Requires use of oxygenates (amended Requires use of oxygenates (amended 2006 to optional)2006 to optional)

RVP ComparisonRVP ComparisonRVP ComparisonRVP Comparison

ConventionalConventional Phase I Phase I Phase IIPhase II

GasolineGasoline RFG RFG RFGRFG

AverageAverage 8.7 Summer8.7 Summer 7.2 Summer 6.8 Summer 7.2 Summer 6.8 Summer

RVPRVP (PSI) (PSI) 12.2 Winter 12.2 Winter 12.1 Winter12.2 Winter 12.2 Winter 12.1 Winter

OxygenatesOxygenatesOxygenatesOxygenates

• Chemical compounds that contain oxygen Chemical compounds that contain oxygen which are required by EPA regulations in which are required by EPA regulations in RFG (Amended in 2006 to be optional)RFG (Amended in 2006 to be optional)

Oxygenate SubstancesOxygenate SubstancesOxygenate SubstancesOxygenate Substances

• EthersEthers– Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) *Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) *– Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE)Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE)– Tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME)Tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME)– Di-isopropryl ether (DIPE)Di-isopropryl ether (DIPE)

• AlcoholsAlcohols– Ethanol (EtOH) *Ethanol (EtOH) *– Tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA)Tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA)

**Most common in use todayMost common in use today

Oxygenates ComparisonOxygenates ComparisonOxygenates ComparisonOxygenates Comparison Conventional Phase I Phase IIConventional Phase I Phase II

GasolineGasoline RFG RFG RFG RFGAve.Vol.%Ave.Vol.%MTBEMTBE __ *__ * - 11 ** 11 **- 11 ** 11 **

(7.8-15) (7.8-15)(7.8-15) (7.8-15)EtOHEtOH __*__* 5.7 ** 5.7 ** 5.7 ** 5.7 **

(4.3-10) (4.3-10)(4.3-10) (4.3-10)

* * Some fuels have used oxygenates (in lesser volumes) as octane Some fuels have used oxygenates (in lesser volumes) as octane enhancers especially since the phase out of tetra ethyl lead.enhancers especially since the phase out of tetra ethyl lead.

** Combinations of MTBE and EtOH are permissible but cannot ** Combinations of MTBE and EtOH are permissible but cannot exceed 15% volume totalexceed 15% volume total

MTBEMTBEMTBEMTBE• AdvantagesAdvantages

– Easily manufactured and blendedEasily manufactured and blended– Compatible with fuel componentsCompatible with fuel components– Low blending RVPLow blending RVP– Does not need special handling to avoid water Does not need special handling to avoid water

contaminationcontamination

• DisadvantagesDisadvantages– most aggressive (Chemically) to elastomers of all most aggressive (Chemically) to elastomers of all

the ethers in a neat (pure) statethe ethers in a neat (pure) state– Not eligible for tax creditsNot eligible for tax credits– Has an offensive smell when blended into fuelHas an offensive smell when blended into fuel– Ground water hazardGround water hazard

EtOH (Ethanol)EtOH (Ethanol)EtOH (Ethanol)EtOH (Ethanol)

• AdvantagesAdvantages– Eligible for tax creditsEligible for tax credits– Less expensive that MTBELess expensive that MTBE

• DisadvantagesDisadvantages– Cannot be shipped in typical gasoline pipelinesCannot be shipped in typical gasoline pipelines– Must be handled in a special manner to avoid Must be handled in a special manner to avoid

water contaminationwater contamination– Scavenges water in storage and distribution Scavenges water in storage and distribution

systems which remains in the fuel blendsystems which remains in the fuel blend

E10 Fuel retrieved from E10 Fuel retrieved from a boat in 2006a boat in 2006

E10 Effects on Marine E10 Effects on Marine Engines and Fuel Systems Engines and Fuel Systems

E10 Effects on Marine E10 Effects on Marine Engines and Fuel Systems Engines and Fuel Systems

• Fuel system parts particularly some Fuel system parts particularly some plastics and elastomers (rubbers) such plastics and elastomers (rubbers) such as seals, o-rings, and hoses may shrink, as seals, o-rings, and hoses may shrink, swell, lose flexibility, lose mechanical swell, lose flexibility, lose mechanical strength, and exhibit increased strength, and exhibit increased permeation rates when exposed to E10permeation rates when exposed to E10

Effects of E10 on Effects of E10 on Traditional Rubber Traditional Rubber

ComponentsComponents

Effects of E10 on Effects of E10 on Traditional Rubber Traditional Rubber

ComponentsComponents

Automotive Plastic Gas Tank Automotive Plastic Gas Tank Permeation ComparisonPermeation Comparison

Conventional Gasoline Vs. E10Conventional Gasoline Vs. E10

Automotive Plastic Gas Tank Automotive Plastic Gas Tank Permeation ComparisonPermeation Comparison

Conventional Gasoline Vs. E10Conventional Gasoline Vs. E10

Tank Barrier Tank Barrier ConventionalConventional RFG RFG

TreatmentTreatment GasolineGasoline______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NonTreated 10g/day 10g/daySulfonated 0.2g/day 0.5g/dayCoextruded 0.05g/day

0.1g/day

E10 Effects on Marine E10 Effects on Marine Engines and Fuel SystemsEngines and Fuel Systems


• Increased tendency to experience water in Increased tendency to experience water in fuel problems fuel problems

• E10 appears to be more affected by E10 appears to be more affected by having a vacuum drawn on ithaving a vacuum drawn on it

• Boats may need larger fuel tanks to travel Boats may need larger fuel tanks to travel the same distance as before due to lower the same distance as before due to lower energy content of the fuelenergy content of the fuel



• Fuel storage must be handled more Fuel storage must be handled more carefully as vapor in the storage vessel (or carefully as vapor in the storage vessel (or boat tank) may contain its own oxygen boat tank) may contain its own oxygen making the mixture flammable at colder making the mixture flammable at colder temperaturestemperatures

• Poorer starting in colder weather may be Poorer starting in colder weather may be experienced in the spring season due to experienced in the spring season due to lower RVPlower RVP

E10 and Engine ManufacturersE10 and Engine ManufacturersE10 and Engine ManufacturersE10 and Engine Manufacturers

• Using more sophisticated elastomers in Using more sophisticated elastomers in the fuel systemthe fuel system

• Using more stainless steel in fuel system Using more stainless steel in fuel system componentscomponents

• Building in water traps in critical Building in water traps in critical components of the fuel systemcomponents of the fuel system

• Adding “water - in fuel” sensors Adding “water - in fuel” sensors • Increasing filtration Increasing filtration • Increasing vapor handling capacitiesIncreasing vapor handling capacities

RFG (E10) and Engine RFG (E10) and Engine ManufacturersManufacturersRFG (E10) and Engine RFG (E10) and Engine ManufacturersManufacturers

• Eliminating hoses in the fuel systemEliminating hoses in the fuel system

• Using fewer reusable clamps and jointsUsing fewer reusable clamps and joints

• Using preassembled fuel line Using preassembled fuel line assembliesassemblies

• Using higher capacity fuel pumpsUsing higher capacity fuel pumps

• Cooling fuel to hold down vaporCooling fuel to hold down vapor

Future Expectations for Future Expectations for Boat ManufacturersBoat Manufacturers

Future Expectations for Future Expectations for Boat ManufacturersBoat Manufacturers

• More demands from customers and engine More demands from customers and engine manufacturers to provide more reliable fuel manufacturers to provide more reliable fuel systemssystems

• Increasing use of EtOH in fuels (Increasing use of EtOH in fuels (eventually eventually

nationwidenationwide) as Congress advances new ) as Congress advances new legislationlegislation

• Similar low pollution diesel fuel blends which Similar low pollution diesel fuel blends which will also create its own set of new challenges will also create its own set of new challenges ((biodiesel has similar effects on elastomeric biodiesel has similar effects on elastomeric

componentscomponents))

New Boat Fuel SystemsNew Boat Fuel SystemsNew Boat Fuel SystemsNew Boat Fuel Systems

• Evaluate those components used in new Evaluate those components used in new boat fuel systems. Hoses, anti-siphon boat fuel systems. Hoses, anti-siphon values, gauge senders and even gas values, gauge senders and even gas tanks may be affected adversely by E10. tanks may be affected adversely by E10. Ask before you buy.Ask before you buy.

• Add a water separating fuel filter to your Add a water separating fuel filter to your boat fuel system if you don’t already have boat fuel system if you don’t already have oneone..

New Boat Fuel SystemsNew Boat Fuel SystemsNew Boat Fuel SystemsNew Boat Fuel Systems

• Pay attention to hose diameters, fittings, Pay attention to hose diameters, fittings, and lengths to keep restrictions as low as and lengths to keep restrictions as low as possible. Fuel system restrictions are possible. Fuel system restrictions are more critical than evermore critical than ever

• Eliminate potential leak paths wherever Eliminate potential leak paths wherever possiblepossible

Existing Boat Fuel SystemsExisting Boat Fuel SystemsExisting Boat Fuel SystemsExisting Boat Fuel Systems

• Inspect hoses often looking for cracks,Inspect hoses often looking for cracks, sponginess, sponginess, leakage (wet on surface), stiffness, and loss of leakage (wet on surface), stiffness, and loss of clamping force - these are indications of hose clamping force - these are indications of hose deteriorationdeterioration

• Add a water separating fuel filter if the boat is not so Add a water separating fuel filter if the boat is not so equippedequipped

• inspect all gasketed areas looking for wicking of fuelinspect all gasketed areas looking for wicking of fuel• Inspect fuel tanks for signs of deteriorationInspect fuel tanks for signs of deterioration

– Fiberglass – softening , sponginess, leakageFiberglass – softening , sponginess, leakage– Aluminum – corrosion, leakageAluminum – corrosion, leakage

Existing Boat Fuel SystemsExisting Boat Fuel SystemsExisting Boat Fuel SystemsExisting Boat Fuel Systems

• Use your nose!Use your nose!– If you smell vapor find the cause immediatelyIf you smell vapor find the cause immediately

• If you are replacing components, make sure they If you are replacing components, make sure they are compatible with E10are compatible with E10

• Avoid the use of “SNAKE OIL” Fuel additivesAvoid the use of “SNAKE OIL” Fuel additives– Use only those stabilizers and fuel system cleaners Use only those stabilizers and fuel system cleaners

that are approved by the engine manufacturersthat are approved by the engine manufacturers

Future ExpectationsFuture ExpectationsFuture ExpectationsFuture Expectations

• Further regulatory requirements centered Further regulatory requirements centered around spillage and evaporative emissionsaround spillage and evaporative emissions

Additional ReferencesAdditional Referenceshttp://www.nmma.org/government/environmental/?http://www.nmma.org/government/environmental/?catid=573catid=573

http://www.epa.gov/oms/rfgboats.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/oms/rfgboats.htm

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