Background

1. 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

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

3. 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)

4. RVP Comparison Conventional Phase I Phase II Gasoline RFG RFG Average8.7 Summer 7.2 Summer 6.8 Summer RVP (PSI) 12.2 Winter 12.2 Winter 12.1 Winter

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

6. Oxygenate Substances • Ethers • 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

7. Oxygenates Comparison Conventional Phase I Phase II Gasoline RFG RFG Ave.Vol.% MTBE __ * - 11 ** 11 ** (7.8-15) (7.8-15) EtOH __* 5.7 ** 5.7 ** (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

8. MTBE • Advantages • 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

9. EtOH (Ethanol) • Advantages • 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

10. E10 Fuel retrieved from a boat in 2006

11. 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

12. Effects of E10 on Traditional Rubber Components

13. Automotive Plastic Gas Tank Permeation ComparisonConventional Gasoline Vs. E10 Tank Barrier Conventional RFG Treatment Gasoline ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NonTreated 10g/day 10g/day Sulfonated 0.2g/day 0.5g/day Coextruded 0.05g/day 0.1g/day

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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)

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Future Expectations • Further regulatory requirements centered around spillage and evaporative emissions

24. Additional References http://www.nmma.org/government/environmental/?catid=573 http://www.epa.gov/oms/rfgboats.htm