Legislation

Fuel Specifications

Product Specifications Put Focus on Sulfur Reduction, Fuel Quality

Regulatory specifications for the acceptable levels of various compounds (e.g., sulfur, benzene, aromatics, etc.) in transportation fuels have been put in place in many regions around the world. Additionally, legislation regarding more stringent specifications in many countries and first-time regulations in developing nations are imminent. Other parameters such as benzene, olefins, RVP, and cutpoints are also restricted in gasoline; legislators often limit density, cetane, and polyaromatics in diesel fuels because of their likelihood of forming particulate matter. The following table lists specifications regarding sulfur, benzene, and aromatics content for various regions around the globe. As indicated in the previous section, changing specifications for transportation fuels can also influence the supply/demand balance for transportation fuels. Impending specification must also be considered when making decisions regarding feedstock selection and technology installations. Log-in for complete content