The use of ethers reduces emissions, benefiting the environment’s air quality.

 

 

Specifically, the use of methyl-tert-buthyl-ether (MTBE) and ethyl-tert-buthyl-ether (ETBE) enables a more complete fuel combustion, resulting in air quality benefits that include the reduction of specific pollutants limited by law, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (HCs), as well as other serious pollutants such as particulate matter (PM) and ground-level ozone (O3).

EMISSIONS REDUCTION EFFECTS

Studies commissioned by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), two of the world’s leading regulatory agencies, have demonstrated that the use of MTBE, in particular, reduces permeation—a key effect of evaporative emissions from a vehicle fleet—compared to both pure gasoline and gasoline blended with ethanol. As a result, the use of MTBE reduces the formation potential of, among other criteria pollutants, ground-level ozone.

Recent studies confirmed these laboratory findings, showing that lower ethanol use in gasoline has resulted in lower ozone levels in highly polluted cities such as Rio de Janeiro. Gasoline blended with ethers entails an even lower ozone formation potential than gasoline itself.

 

MTBE’s AIR QUALITY BENEFITS

The extent of MTBE’s air quality benefits depends on various parameters, such as the percentage of blended MTBE, the presence of catalyst devices, the type and age of engine and the driving cycle. Nevertheless, there is general agreement among industrial and scientific communities on broad values, as reported in the chart below.

 

 

ETHERS’ REDUCTION OF POLLUTANTS1

    • Carbon monoxide: On average, CO emissions are reduced by at least the same percentage as MTBE content in gasoline.

    • Unburned hydrocarbons: For each 1 or 2% of MTBE, there is a 1% reduction in total HC emissions.

    • Particulate matter: It is estimated that each 1% of MTBE results in a 2 to 3% PM emission reduction.

    • Ozone: MTBE generates about half the ozone compared with iso/alkylates and one-tenth that of aromatics.

    • Benzene: It is estimated that, for each 1% of MTBE, there is an equivalent percentage reduction in benzene emissions, both evaporative and exhaust.

    • Olefins: MTBE displays low vapor pressure and low volatility compared to olefins. Converting olefins to MTBE during refining removes some of the most reactive and volatile components from the gasoline pool.

    • Lead: MTBE is an effective substitute for lead, a toxic compound that has been phased out in most parts of the world.

 

EMISSIONS REDUCTION EFFECTS OF REFORMULATED GASOLINE2

The following significant reductions of pollutants have been achieved through the use of reformulated gasoline containing 10-15% MTBE, compared to conventional gasoline:

    • 20-25 % less carbon monoxide

    • 10-15% less unburned hydrocarbons

    • About 30% less particulate matter

    • 20-30% less benzene

    • 5% less nitrogen oxides

    • 15% less evaporative emissions

    • Reduction of ground-level ozone

 

 

Mexico: air quality concerns drive fuel quality considerations (click to download)

 

 

1EFOA, MTBE resource guide

2 Ibidem.