The Impact of State Air Quality and Product Regulations on Current and Future Fuel Properties

Abstract

In order to meet federal ambient air quality standards, a number of states and localities have issued fuel regulations to help control the emissions from motor vehicles and from the fuel distribution system. The state of California has led the nation in developing air quality standards. Some states are considering adopting California regulations. Most states have product inspection laws and minimum quality standards for fuels. This paper discusses the air quality and product regulations and how they can impact current and future properties of fuels for motor vehicles. Also discussed is the relationship between the state regulations and the implementation of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.

A survey of the automotive diesel quality in the Athens area

“…However, other fuel properties also a!ect emissions, for example fuel density and volatility may also a!ect emissions (Gibbs, 1992), but the magnitude of the e!ect depends very much on the engine design (Lee et al, 1998). This paper presents the results of a survey in automotive diesel samples obtained from service stations in the Athens area, where the consumers buy their fuels.…”

“…Heating diesel is cheaper than the automotive diesel and it is coloured red. It has furfural as a chemical marker at a proportion of 20 mg/l and contains sulphur up to 2000 ppm (Greek Government Gazette 153/B/1992, 1992Greek Government Gazette 496/B/1993, 1993. Marine diesel is also cheaper than the automotive diesel.…”