ASTM D4815-09

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D4815–04 Designation:D4815–09
Standard Test Method for
Determination of MTBE, ETBE, TAME, DIPE, tertiary-Amyl
Alcohol and C to C Alcohols in Gasoline by Gas
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Chromatography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4815; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of ethers and alcohols in gasolines by gas chromatography. Specific compounds
determined are methyl tert-butylether (MTBE), ethyl tert-butylether (ETBE), tert-amylmethylether (TAME), diisopropylether
(DIPE), methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, sec -butanol, n-butanol, and tert-pentanol (tert-
amylalcohol).
1.2Individual1.2 Individual ethers are determined from 0.20 to 20.0 mass %. Individual alcohols are determined from 0.20 to
12.0 mass %. Equations used to convert to mass % oxygen and to volume % of individual compounds are provided. At
concentrations <0.20 mass %, it is possible that hydrocarbons may interfere with several ethers and alcohols. The reporting limit
of 0.20 mass % was tested for gasolines containing a maximum of 10 volume % olefins. It may be possible that for gasolines
containing >10 volume % olefins, the interference may be >0.20 mass %. Annex A1 gives a chromatogram showing the
interference observed with a gasoline containing 10 volume % olefins.
1.3 Alcohol-based fuels, such as M-85 and E-85, MTBE product, ethanol product, and denatured alcohol, are specifically
excluded from this test method. The methanol content of M-85 fuel is considered beyond the operating range of the system.
1.4 Benzene, while detected, cannot be quantified using this test method and must be analyzed by alternate methodology (see
Test Method D3606).
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.Alternate units, in common usage, are also provided to increase
clarity and aid the users of this test method.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), orAPI Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum
Products by Hydrometer Method
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D1744 Test Method for Water in Liquid Petroleum Products by Karl Fischer Reagent
D3606 Test Method for Determination of Benzene and Toluene in Finished Motor and Aviation Gasoline by Gas
Chromatography
D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4307 Practice for Preparation of Liquid Blends for Use as Analytical Standards
D4420 Test Method for Determination of Aromatics in Finished Gasoline by Gas Chromatography
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 low volume connector—a special union for connecting two lengths of tubing 1.6-mm inside diameter and smaller.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.04.0L
on Hydrocarbon Analysis. Gas Chromatography Methods.
Current edition approved Nov.Oct. 1, 2004.2009. Published February 2005.November 2009. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20032004 as
D4815–03.D4815–04. DOI: 10.1520/D4815-049.
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For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D4815–09
Sometimes this is referred to as zero dead volume union.
3.1.2 oxygenate—any oxygen-containing organic compound that can be used as a fuel or fuel supplement, for example, v
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