1 research outputs found
Refining Economics of U.S. Gasoline: Octane Ratings and Ethanol Content
Increasing the octane
rating of the U.S. gasoline pool (currently
∼93 Research Octane Number (RON)) would enable higher engine
efficiency for light-duty vehicles (e.g., through higher compression
ratio), facilitating compliance with federal fuel economy and greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions standards. The federal Renewable Fuels Standard
calls for increased renewable fuel use in U.S. gasoline, primarily
ethanol, a high-octane gasoline component. Linear programming modeling
of the U.S. refining sector was used to assess the effects on refining
economics, CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, and crude oil use of increasing
average octane rating by increasing (i) the octane rating of refinery-produced
hydrocarbon <u>b</u>lendstocks for <u>o</u>xygenate <u>b</u>lending (BOBs) and (ii) the volume
fraction (Exx) of ethanol in finished gasoline. The analysis indicated
the refining sector could produce BOBs yielding finished E20 and E30
gasolines with higher octane ratings at modest additional refining
cost, for example, ∼1¢/gal for 95-RON E20 or 97-RON E30,
and 3–5¢/gal for 95-RON E10, 98-RON E20, or 100-RON E30.
Reduced BOB volume (from displacement by ethanol) and lower BOB octane
could (i) lower refinery CO<sub>2</sub> emissions (e.g., ∼
3% for 98-RON E20, ∼ 10% for 100-RON E30) and (ii) reduce crude
oil use (e.g., ∼ 3% for 98-RON E20, ∼ 8% for 100-RON
E30)