1. Rich Kolb Engineering Manager
Emissions, Regulations, Parts & Accessories
Volvo Penta of the Americas 19

2. Background
1990 Clean Air Act Amendments required the EPA to issue regulations for cleaner burning gasoline
After 5 years of regulation - negotiation (RFG) Phase I is required beginning 1/1/95, in 9 metropolitan areas designated ozone “nonattainment zones” (New York, Philadelphia, Hartford, Baltimore, Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston, San Diego, Los Angeles)
RFG Phase II required January 1, 2000 21 21

3. RFG Gasolines Based on the EPA’s simple model are intended to reduce :
volatile organic compounds (VOC)
air toxic emissions 22 22

4. RFG Gasoline Limits Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP)
Measure of how quickly fuel evaporates
Limits the amount of benzene
Requires use of oxygenates (amended 2006 to optional) 23 23

5. RVP Comparison Conventional Phase I Phase II Gasoline RFG RFG
Average 8.7 Summer Summer Summer
RVP (PSI) Winter Winter Winter 24 24

6. Oxygenates
Chemical compounds that contain oxygen which are required by EPA regulations in RFG (Amended in 2006 to be optional)
Now we are coming to the area of RFG that has the most impact on us marine fuel system engineers - the use of oxygenates.
Oxygenates (are)
Chemical compounds that contain oxygen which are required by the EPA regulations in RFG 27 27

7. Oxygenate Substances Ethers Alcohols
Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) *
Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE)
Tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME)
Di-isopropryl ether (DIPE)
Alcohols
Ethanol (EtOH) *
Tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA)
*Most common in use today 28 28

8. Oxygenates Comparison
Conventional Phase I Phase II
Gasoline RFG RFG
Ave.Vol.%
MTBE __ * ** **
(7.8-15) (7.8-15)
EtOH __* ** **
(4.3-10) (4.3-10)
* Some fuels have used oxygenates (in lesser volumes) as octane enhancers especially since the phase out of tetra ethyl lead.
** Combinations of MTBE and EtOH are permissible but cannot exceed 15% volume total 29 29

9. MTBE Advantages Disadvantages Easily manufactured and blended
Compatible with fuel components
Low blending RVP
Does not need special handling to avoid water contamination
Disadvantages
most aggressive (Chemically) to elastomers of all the ethers in a neat (pure) state
Not eligible for tax credits
Has an offensive smell when blended into fuel
Ground water hazard 30 30

10. EtOH (Ethanol) Advantages Disadvantages Eligible for tax credits
Less expensive that MTBE
Disadvantages
Cannot be shipped in typical gasoline pipelines
Must be handled in a special manner to avoid water contamination
Scavenges water in storage and distribution systems which remains in the fuel blend 31 31

11. E10 Fuel retrieved from a boat in 2006

12. E10 Effects on Marine Engines and Fuel Systems
Fuel system parts particularly some plastics and elastomers (rubbers) such as seals, o-rings, and hoses may shrink, swell, lose flexibility, lose mechanical strength, and exhibit increased permeation rates when exposed to E10 32 32

13. Effects of E10 on Traditional Rubber Components33 33

14. Automotive Plastic Gas Tank Permeation Comparison Conventional Gasoline Vs. E10
Tank Barrier Conventional RFG
Treatment Gasoline
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NonTreated 10g/day 10g/day
Sulfonated 0.2g/day g/day
Coextruded 0.05g/day g/day 34

15. E10 Effects on Marine Engines and Fuel Systems
Increased tendency to experience water in fuel problems
E10 appears to be more affected by having a vacuum drawn on it
Boats may need larger fuel tanks to travel the same distance as before due to lower energy content of the fuel 35 35

16. E10 Effects on Marine Engines and Fuel Systems
Fuel storage must be handled more carefully as vapor in the storage vessel (or boat tank) may contain its own oxygen making the mixture flammable at colder temperatures
Poorer starting in colder weather may be experienced in the spring season due to lower RVP 36 36

17. E10 and Engine Manufacturers
Using more sophisticated elastomers in the fuel system
Using more stainless steel in fuel system components
Building in water traps in critical components of the fuel system
Adding “water - in fuel” sensors
Increasing filtration
Increasing vapor handling capacities 37 37

18. RFG (E10) and Engine Manufacturers
Eliminating hoses in the fuel system
Using fewer reusable clamps and joints
Using preassembled fuel line assemblies
Using higher capacity fuel pumps
Cooling fuel to hold down vapor 38 38

19. Future Expectations for Boat Manufacturers
More demands from customers and engine manufacturers to provide more reliable fuel systems
Increasing use of EtOH in fuels (eventually nationwide) as Congress advances new legislation
Similar low pollution diesel fuel blends which will also create its own set of new challenges (biodiesel has similar effects on elastomeric components) 39 39

20. New Boat Fuel Systems
Evaluate those components used in new boat fuel systems. Hoses, anti-siphon values, gauge senders and even gas tanks may be affected adversely by E10. Ask before you buy.
Add a water separating fuel filter to your boat fuel system if you don’t already have one.
Even the EPA states that it is good idea to equip your boats with a water separating fuel filter 41 41

21. New Boat Fuel Systems
Pay attention to hose diameters, fittings, and lengths to keep restrictions as low as possible. Fuel system restrictions are more critical than ever
Eliminate potential leak paths wherever possible 42 42

22. Existing Boat Fuel Systems
Inspect hoses often looking for cracks, sponginess, leakage (wet on surface), stiffness, and loss of clamping force - these are indications of hose deterioration
Add a water separating fuel filter if the boat is not so equipped
inspect all gasketed areas looking for wicking of fuel
Inspect fuel tanks for signs of deterioration
Fiberglass – softening , sponginess, leakage
Aluminum – corrosion, leakage 43 43

23. Existing Boat Fuel Systems
Use your nose!
If you smell vapor find the cause immediately
If you are replacing components, make sure they are compatible with E10
Avoid the use of “SNAKE OIL” Fuel additives
Use only those stabilizers and fuel system cleaners that are approved by the engine manufacturers
At this point, I would like to turn the presentation back to Tom. Thank you for your attention and I would be happy to answer any questions at the end of the program 44 44

24. Future Expectations
Further regulatory requirements centered around spillage and evaporative emissions 40 40

25. Additional References