Fuel Oxygenates (The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry) (The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry)

The state-of-the-art on fuel oxygenates, and in particular of MTBE in groundwater, is presented in this book. Historically, oxygenates like MTBE were developed in the 1970s as octane enhancers to replace toxic additives like lead, which were phased out of gasoline. The presence of oxygenates in gasoline promotes cleaner fuel combustion within the engine, boosts fuel octane values and reduces vehicle emissions. Another relevant oxygenate is ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE), which has increasingly replaced MTBE. This book deals mainly with the problems associated with the contamination of groundwater by MTBE and TBA, but ETBE is also considered. The book, written by recognized specialists in the field, is organized in sections covering state-of-the-art analytical methods, including specific isotopic analysis, occurrence in the environment, transport and degradation processes, treatment technologies and human health risks. It offers a unique opportunity not only for scientists who want to get more comprehensive information on this subject but also for policy makers and stakeholders that need to manage real-world environmental problems associated with fuel oxygenate

The state of the art on fuel oxygenates, and in particular of MTBE in groundwater, is presented. Historically, oxygenates like MTBE were developed in the 1970s as octane enhancers to replace toxic additives like lead, which were phased out of gasoline. The presence of oxygenates in gasoline promotes cleaner fuel combustion within the engine, boosts fuel octane values and reduces vehicle emissions.

Another relevant oxygenate is ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE), which has increasingly replaced MTBE. Ethanol is by far the most commonly used alcohol oxygenate and bio-ethanol in particular is being increasingly used as a replacement for other fuel oxygenates.

Today the discussion on the increase on corn production to produce bio-ethanol in order to reduce our dependency on oil is in the press. As a consequence corn cultivation started to increase in Europe, the US and Brazil with subsidiary plans from the governments up to 0.4 Euros/liter of biethanol produced.

Other alcohols that can be used as fuel oxygenates are methanol and tertiary-butyl alcohol (TBA). TBA is, in addition, the main degradation product of MTBE and a potential impurity from the MTBE manufacturing process.

This book deals mainly with the problems associated with the contamination of groundwater by MTBE and TBA, but ETBE is also considered. The book, written by recognized specialists in the field, is organized in sections covering state-of-the-art analytical methods, including specific isotopic analysis, occurrence in the environment, transport and degradation processes, treatment technologies and human health risks. It offers a unique opportunity not only for scientists who want to get more comprehensive information on this subject but also for policy makers and stakeholders that need to manage real-world environmental problems associated with fuel oxygenate contamination of our groundwater resources.

The state of the art on fuel oxygenates, and in particular of MTBE in groundwater, is presented. Historically, oxygenates like MTBE were developed in the 1970s as octane enhancers to replace toxic additives like lead, which were phased out of gasoline. The presence of oxygenates in gasoline promotes cleaner fuel combustion within the engine, boosts fuel octane values and reduces vehicle emissions. Another relevant oxygenate is ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE), which has increasingly replaced MTBE. Ethanol is by far the most commonly used alcohol oxygenate and bio-ethanol in particular is being increasingly used as a replacement for other fuel oxygenates. Today the discussion on the increase on corn production to produce bio-ethanol in order to reduce our dependency on oil is in the press. As a consequence corn cultivation started to increase in Europe, the US and Brazil with subsidiary plans from the governments up to 0.4 Euros/liter of biethanol produced. Other alcohols that can be used as fuel oxygenates are methanol and tertiary-butyl alcohol (TBA). TBA is, in addition, the main degradation product of MTBE and a potential impurity from the MTBE manufacturing process. This book deals mainly with the problems associated with the contamination of groundwater by MTBE and TBA, but ETBE is also considered. The book, written by recognized specialists in the field, is organized in sections covering state-of-the-art analytical methods, including specific isotopic analysis, occurrence in the environment, transport and degradation processes, treatment technologies and human health risks. It offers a unique opportunity not only for scientists who want to get more comprehensive information on this subject but also for policy makers and stakeholders that need to manage real-world environmental problems associated with fuel oxygenate contamination of our groundwater resources. Environmental Chemistry is a relatively young science. Interest in this subject, however, is growing very rapidly and, although no agreement has been reached as yet about the exact content and limits of this interdisciplinary discipline, there appears to be increasing interest in seeing environmental topics which are based on chemistry embodied in this subject. One of the?rst objectives of Environmental Chemistry must be the study of the environment and of natural chemical processes which occur in the environment. A major purpose of this series on Environmental Chemistry, therefore, is to present a reasonably uniform view of various aspects of the chemistry of the environment and chemical reactions occurring in the environment. The industrial activities of man have given a new dimension to Envir- mental Chemistry. We have now synthesized and described over?ve million chemical compounds and chemical industry produces about hundred and?fty million tons of synthetic chemicals annually. We ship billions of tons of oil per year and through mining operations and other geophysical modi?cations, large quantities of inorganic and organic materials are released from their natural deposits. Cities and metropolitan areas of up to 15 million inhabitants produce large quantities of waste in relatively small and con?ned areas. Much of the chemical products and waste products of modern society are released into the environment either during production, storage, transport, use or ultimate disposal. These released materials participate in natural cycles and reactions and frequently lead to interference and disturbance of natural systems. Content: Front Matter....Pages I-XVI Novel Analytical Methods for the Determination of Fuel Oxygenates in Water....Pages 1-30 Occurrence and Fate of MTBE in the Aquatic Environment Over the Last Decade....Pages 31-55 Occurrence of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether and Other Fuel Oxygenates in Source Water and Drinking Water of the United States....Pages 57-73 Biodegradability of Oxygenates by Microflora from MTBE-Contaminated Sites: New Molecular Tools....Pages 75-98 Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) to Characterise Degradation Pathways and to Quantify In-Situ Degradation of Fuel Oxygenates and Other Fuel-Derived Contaminants....Pages 99-119 Spreading of MTBE and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Groundwater: Comparison of Groundwater Transport and Plume Dimensions....Pages 121-138 Enhanced Natural Attenuation of MTBE....Pages 139-158 Bioremediation of groundwater contaminated with MTBE/TBA....Pages 159-190 Adsorption and Abiotic Degradation of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE)....Pages 191-212 Microbial Degradation of MTBE in Reactors....Pages 213-248 Remediation Technologies and Costs for Cleaning MTBE Contaminated Groundwater....Pages 249-273 Removal of MTBE and Other Fuel Oxygenates During Drinking Water Treatment....Pages 275-330 Toxicological Review of Methyl- and Ethyl-tertiary-Butyl Ethers....Pages 331-400 MTBE: WHO Guidelines and Taste and Odour Issues for Drinking Water....Pages 401-408 Back Matter....Pages 409-411