Compatibility of Non-Ferrous Metals with Ethanol

016402172010Final ReportPDFTech ReportEP001681PR-186-09204CrackingElastomersEthanolFuel mixturesGasolinePetroleum pipelinesPipeline pumping stationsSteel pipeStress corrosionCompatibility (Materials)Research HubMaterialsPipelinesTerminals and FacilitiesUnited StatesDet Norske Veritas, IncorporatedQuickel, Gregory T.Beavers, John A.Det Norske Veritas, IncorporatedPipeline Research Council InternationalUS Transportation CollectionEthanol has been used for the last several years as an environmentally friendly alternative to methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE), which is an oxygenate additive to gasoline, to increase octane levels, and to facilitate the combustion process. However, the need to find alternatives to imported oil and gas has spurred the increased use of ethanol as an alternative fuel source. Further, ethanol is being promoted as a potential trade-off for CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels since CO2 is consumed by the plants used as the ethanol source. Legislation mandates a significant increase in ethanol usage as fuel over the next twenty years. The widespread use of ethanol will require efficient and reliable transportation from diverse ethanol producers to distribution terminals. Pipelines are, by far, the most cost-effective means of transporting large quantities of liquid hydrocarbons over long distances. For transporting ethanol, both existing pipeline infrastructure and new pipeline construction are being contemplated. In companion PRCI projects, the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of pipeline steels and the performance of elastomer seals/gaskets are being studied. The SCC study not only includes piping grade steel, but also a cast steel that could be used in pumps. Many of the issues related to corrosion are being resolved in these projects. However, to completely address the effect of ethanol and ethanol-gasoline blends in pipeline systems, investigation of the effects of ethanol on other components, such as pumps, valves, screens, springs, and metering devices should be investigated. These components may have different materials (e.g., non-ferrous alloys), different types of loading, and different exposure conditions