Fuel Oxygenates Assessment
Definition
Fuel oxygenates are oxygen-containing compounds that are added to gasoline to either boost the octane rating, make the fuel burn cleaner by increasing the oxygen content, or a combination. Among others, the most commonly used oxygenates are methyl tertiary butyl ether (MtBE) and ethanol. Ethanol has been used in automotive fuel blends since the 1930s and MtBE had been used increasingly from the 1970s to 2004, when its use in fuels in California and many other states was banned. From 1970 to 1998, MtBE production increased from 39th to 4th largest volume of all organic chemicals produced in the United States.
MtBE blends easily with gasoline hydrocarbons; unfortunately, it is also highly soluble in water and is therefore very mobile in groundwater systems. Due to very slow natural degradation of MtBE by subsurface microorganisms, dissolved MtBE plumes covering kilometer-scale distances have now been documented throughout the country. The high mobility and solubility of MtBE in water, its low to negligible biodegradation, and widespread use have made the assessment and cleanup of this chemical very challenging.
Assessment Methods
Some of the most proven and successful MtBE assessment methods are:
- Small Diameter Hydraulic (Geoprobe®) Sampling
- Discrete Multi-Level Groundwater Sampling (Waterloo Sampler®)
- Cone Penetrometer Testing
- Hollow Stem Auger Drilling
- Hydro-punch Groundwater Sampling
- Passive Soil Gas Sampling (Gore-Sorber®)
RRM Experience
RRM's professional hydrogeologists, engineers and scientists are experts in the fields of fuel oxygenate environmental fate and transport modeling, site assessment techniques, remediation methods, and regulatory policy. Our highly skilled team has completed dozens of fuel oxygenate investigations for a wide array of clients: on time, within budget and with excellent service.
Selected Clients
- ChevronTexaco
- Battelle
- Shell Oil Company
- Monsanto Corporation
- RCC, Inc.
- City of Burlingame
- U.S. Navy
- Kelleher & Associates
- Shell Oil Company
- Safeway
- Devco Oil Company
- Wickland Oil Company
- Pajaro Valley Unified School District
- Freedom Fuels
- Phillips Petroleum
- Inman Distributing
- Brothers Markets
- Delta Environmental
- Bettermade Foods
- Cupertino Beacon
- Beach City Gas
- National Car Wash