Experimental determination of some physical properties of gasoline, ethanol and ETBE blends

The addition of renewable fuels, such as ethanol (EtOH) or ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), to standard gasoline, may be necessary to comply with some environmental directives but could also prevent compliance with some fuel regulations and could also seriously change engine performance. From this point of view, Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP), the distillation curve, oxygen content and density are the more relevant parameters. This study evaluates the influence of the addition of ethanol or ETBE on some physical properties of engine gasoline. The main conclusion is that the addition of ETBE and EtOH changes the RVP, distillation curve and density in a way that can affect engine operation and the mandatory EN 228 and ASTM 4814 standards.