Does QuantityWare BCP support ethanol and ethanol/gasoline blends?

Yes.
Ethanol is globally utilized as an important feedstock and in gasoline blends (e.g. E5, E7 , E10 blends).

Pure ethanol – 95% ethanol and higher:

1. Ethanol conversions are supported with Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 5992-80, ABNT NBR 5992-08 and ABNT NBR 5992-16. This standard is implemented for all versions in BCP 3.0. This standard calculates volumes (at the base temperature of 20 °C and various alternate temperature bases) and masses and weights (total product and alcohol portion) based on the input values (mass ratio and observed volume or test density) for a temperature range of 10 °C to 40 °C. It considers the fact, that ethanol is hygroscopic and may contain fractions of water during logistics processing. See note 000117 for details.
2. Alternatively, for the U.S., API MPMS Chapter 11.3.3 “Miscellaneous Hydrocarbon Product Properties – Ethanol Density and Volume Correction Factors” may be used. This standard is implemented in BCP 3.0. Note that the CPL calculations define in the third edition of API MPMS 11.3.3 – 2019 are not yet supported, as pipeline transportation of ethanol is still minimal – see DOE Data Center Report.
3. Linear DCF calculations are also relevant for ethanol quantity conversions globally. Such calculations are available with BCP 3.0. See Ethanol DCF FAQ for details.
4. If the sale of ethanol or the calculation of densities and quantity conversion takes place in Germany, use the Y method defined in DIN 51757 and calculation procedures defined in DIN51650. This standard is implemented in BCP 3.0.

Ethanol/gasoline blends:

A rigorous treatment is given in API MPMS 11.3.4 – “Miscellaneous Hydrocarbon Product Properties – Denatured Ethanol and Gasoline Component Blend Densities and Volume Correction Factors”
– which utilizes the fundamental methods given in API Chapter MPMS 11.1.
API MPMS Chapter 11.3.4  specifies, that the blended product (BGE) shall not use the generalized refined products group, but rather a user-supplied (i.e., product specific) alpha (special applications product group). API MPMS 11.3.4 also provides the calculation logic for four blending scenarios.

Read the QuantityWare working paper “Biofuel Measurement Standards Selection” for additional detailed guidance, which is available in the Knowledge Base at www.quantityware.com.

In Europe, typically, for ethanol/gasoline blends up to E10 a generalized refined products group is utilized. Ultimately, buyer and seller need to agree on the selection of the measurement standard utilized.

Categories: BCS Supported Products FAQs | BCS Supported Standards FAQs

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