ASTM D5798-99

Standard Specification for Fuel Ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a fuel blend, nominally 75 to 85 volume % denatured fuel ethanol and 25 to 15 additional volume % hydrocarbons for use in ground vehicles with automotive spark-ignition engines. Appendix X1 discusses the significance of the properties specified.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Annex A1 of this specification. 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-1999
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.A0.02 - Oxygenated Fuels and Components

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5798-99(2004) - Standard Specification for Fuel Ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2004
• Referred By: ASTM D8011-19 - Standard Specification for Natural Gasoline as a Blendstock in Ethanol Fuel Blends or as a Denaturant for Fuel Ethanol
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D5191-22 - Standard Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels (Mini Method)
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM F852/F852M-22 - Standard Specification for Portable Gasoline, Kerosene, and Diesel Containers for Consumer Use
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D3120-08(2019) - Standard Test Method for Trace Quantities of Sulfur in Light Liquid Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Oxidative Microcoulometry
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D7577-12(2021) - Standard Test Method for Determining the Accelerated Iron Corrosion Rating of Denatured Fuel Ethanol and Ethanol Fuel Blends
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D5797-21 - Standard Specification for Methanol Fuel Blends (M51–M85) for Methanol-Capable Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D7563-23 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of the Ability of Engine Oil to Emulsify Water and Simulated Ed85 Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D5501-20 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Ethanol and Methanol Content in Fuels Containing Greater than 20 % Ethanol by Gas Chromatography
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM F2874-20 - Standard Specification for One Time Use Portable Emergency Fuel Containers (PEFC) for Use by Consumers
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D6423-20a - Standard Test Method for Determination of pHe of Denatured Fuel Ethanol and Ethanol Fuel Blends
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D7757-22 - Standard Test Method for Silicon in Gasoline and Related Products by Monochromatic Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D7794-21 - Standard Practice for Blending Mid-Level Ethanol Fuel Blends for Flexible-Fuel Vehicles with Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D7923-19 - Standard Test Method for Water in Ethanol and Hydrocarbon Blends by Karl Fischer Titration
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999
• Referred By: ASTM D86-23 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1999

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation: D 5798 – 99
Standard Specification for
Fuel Ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition
Engines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5798; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 2622 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by
X-Ray Spectrometry Method
1.1 This specification covers a fuel blend, nominally 75 to
D 2988 Test Method for Water-Soluble Halide Ion in Halo-
85 volume % denatured fuel ethanol and 25 to 15 additional
genated Organic Solvents and Their Admixtures
volume % hydrocarbons for use in ground vehicles with
D 3120 Test Method for Trace Quantities of Sulfur in Light
automotive spark-ignition engines. Appendix X1 discusses the
Liquid Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Oxidative Microcou-
significance of the properties specified.
lometry
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
D 3231 Test Method for Phosphorus in Gasoline
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
only.
Petroleum Products
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
D 4806 Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for Blend-
test method portion, Annex A1 of this specification. This
ing with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
Engine Fuel
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
D 4814 Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
Fuel
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
D 4815 Test Method for Determination of MTBE, ETBE,
tions prior to use.
TAME, DIPE, tertiary-Amyl Alcohol and C to C Alco-
1 4
2 7
2. Referenced Documents hols in Gasoline by Gas Chromatography
D 4929 Test Methods for Determination of Organic Chlo-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ride Content in Crude Oil
D 86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products
D 4953 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Gasoline and
D 130 Test Method for Detection of Copper Corrosion from
Gasoline-Oxygenate Blends (Dry Method)
Petroleum Products by the Copper Strip Tarnish Test
D 5059 Test Method for Lead in Gasoline by X-ray Spec-
D 381 Test Method for Existent Gum in Fuels by Jet
troscopy
Evaporation
D 5190 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Prod-
D 512 Test Methods for Chloride Ion in Water
ucts (Automatic Method)
D 525 Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline
D 5191 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Prod-
(Induction Period Method)
ucts (Mini Method)
D 1266 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products
D 5453 Test Method for the Determination of Total Sulfur
(Lamp Method)
in Light Hydrocarbons, Motor Fuels and Oils by Ultravio-
D 1613 Test Method for Acidity in Volatile Solvents and
let Fluorescence
Chemical Intermediates Used in Paint, Varnish, Lacquer,
D 5501 Test Method for the Determination of Ethanol
and Related Products
Content of Denatured Fuel Ethanol by Gas Chromatogra-
D 1688 Test Methods for Copper in Water
phy
D 6423 Test method for Determination of pH of Ethanol,
e
Denatured Fuel Ethanol, and Fuel Ethanol (Ed75–Ed85)
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
E 203 Test Method for Water Using Karl Fischer Titration
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is under the direct responsibility of
E 1064 Test Method for Water in Organic Liquids by
Subcommittee D02.A on Gasoline and Oxygenated Fuels.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1999. Published February 2000. Originally
published as D 5798 – 96. Last previous edition D 5798 – 98a.
Reference to the following documents is to be the latest issue unless otherwise
specified. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.05.
3 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
4 8
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.03.
5 9
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.04. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.04.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D5798–99
TABLE 1 Requirements for Fuel Ethanol (Ed75-Ed85)
Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration
A
Properties Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
3. Terminology
Ethanol + higher alcohols, min, 79 74 70
volume %
3.1 Definitions:
Hydrocarbon/aliphatic ether, 17–21 17–26 17–30
3.1.1 ethanol, n—ethyl alcohol, the chemical compound
volume %
Vapor pressure, kPa 38–59 48–65 66–83
C H OH.
2 5
(psi) 5.5–8.5 7.0–9.5 9.5–12.0
3.1.2 methanol, n—methyl alcohol, the chemical compound
Lead, max, mg/L 2.6 2.6 3.9
CH OH.
Phosphorus, max, mg/L 0.2 0.3 0.4
Sulfur, max, mg/kg 210 260 300
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 aliphatic ether—an oxygen-containing, ashless, or- All Classes
ganic compound in which the oxygen atom is interposed
Methanol, volume %, max 0.5
Higher alcohols (C –C ), max, 2
between two carbon atoms (organic groups), has the general 3 8
volume %
formula C H O with n being 5 to 8, and in which the carbon
n 2n+2
Acidity, (as acetic acid CH3COOH), 0.005 (40)
atoms are connected in open chains and not closed rings.
mass % (mg/L), max
Solvent-washed gum content, 5
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Aliphatic compounds can be straight or
max, mg/100 mL
branched chains and saturated or unsaturated. The term ali-
pH 6.5 to 9.0
e
phatic ether, as used in this specification, refers only to the
Unwashed gum content, max, 20
mg/100 mL
saturated compounds.
Total chlorine as chlorides, max, 2
3.2.2 denaturants—natural gasoline, gasoline components,
mg/kg
unleaded gasoline, or toxic or noxious materials added to fuel
Inorganic chloride, max, mg/kg 1
Copper, max, mg/L 0.07
ethanol to make it unsuitable for beverage use but not
Water, max, mass % 1.0
unsuitable for automotive use.
Appearance This product shall be visibly free of
3.2.3 denatured fuel ethanol—fuel ethanol made unfit for
suspended or precipitated contaminants
(clear and bright). This shall be
beverage use by the addition of denaturants.
determined at ambient temperature or
3.2.4 fuel ethanol—ethanol with impurities common to its
21°C (70°F), whichever is higher.
production (including water but excluding denaturants).
A
See 4.1.1 for volatility class criteria.
3.2.5 fuel ethanol (Ed75-Ed85)—blend of ethanol and hy-
drocarbon of which the ethanol portion is nominally 70 to 85
lower limit of the test method. As greater experience is gained from field
volume % denatured fuel ethanol.
use of Ed75-Ed85 vehicles and further vehicle hardware developments for
3.2.6 higher alcohols—aliphatic alcohols of general for- the use of ethanol content fuels occurs, it is expected that many of these
requirements will change.
mula C H OH with N being 3 to 8.
n 2n+1
3.2.7 hydrocarbon—those components in an ethanol-
4.1.1 Vapor pressure is varied for seasonal and climatic
hydrocarbon blend containing only hydrogen and carbon.
changes by providing three vapor pressure classes for fuel
3.2.8 pH —a measure of the acid strength of alcohol fuels.
ethanol (Ed75-Ed85). The seasonal and geographical distribu-
e
tion for three vapor pressure classes is shown in Table 2. Class
4. Fuel Ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) Performance Requirements
1 encompasses geographical areas with 6-h tenth percentile
minimum ambient temperature of greater than 5°C (41°F).
4.1 Fuel ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) shall conform to the require-
Class 2 encompasses geographical areas with 6-h tenth percen-
ments of Table 1.
tile minimum ambient temperature of greater than −5°C (23°F)
NOTE 1—Most of the requirements cited are based on the best technical
but less than +5°C (41°F). Class 3 encompasses geographical
information currently available. Requirements for sulfur, phosphorus, and
areas with 6-h tenth percentile minimum ambient temperature
lead are based on the use of gasoline defined in Specification D 4814 and
less than or equal to −5°C (23°F).
the understanding that control of these elements will affect catalyst
lifetime. The lead maximum is limited for Class 1 and Class 2 fuels to the
TABLE 2 Seasonal and Geographical Volatility Specifications for Fuel Ethanol (Ed75-Ed85)
NOTE 1—This schedule, subject to agreement between the purchaser and the seller, denotes the vapor pressure class of the fuel at the time and place
of bulk delivery to fuel-dispensing facilities for the end user. Shipments should anticipate this schedule.
State Jan Feb March Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Alabama 2 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2
Alaska
Southern Region 3 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3 3
South Mainland 3 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3 3
Arizona
N of 34° Latitude 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
S of 34° Latitude 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2
Arkansas 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
A
California
North Coast 2 2 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2
South Coast 3/2 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3
D5798–99
TABLE 2 Continued
State Jan Feb March Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Southeast 3 3/2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Interior 2 2 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2
Colorado
E of 105° Longitude 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
W of 105° Longitude 3 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1/2 2/3 3 3 3
Connecticut 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Delaware 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
District of Columbia 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Florida
N of 29° Latitude 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2
S of 29° Latitude 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1111 1/2 2
Georgia 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3
Hawaii 1 1 1 1 1 1 1111 1 1
Idaho 3 3 3 3/2 2 2 2/1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Illinois
N of 40° Latitude 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
S of 40° Latitude 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
Indiana 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
Iowa 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
Kansas 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
Kentucky 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Louisiana 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2
Maine 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Maryland 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Massachusetts 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Michigan
Lower Michigan 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Upper Michigan 3 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Minnesota 3 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Mississippi 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2
Missouri 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
Montana 3 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1/2 2/3 3 3 3
Nebraska 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Nevada
N of 38° Latitude 3 3 3 3/2 2 2 2/1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
S of 38° Latitude 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
New Hampshire 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
New Jersey 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
New Mexico
N of 34° Latitude 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
S of 34° Latitude 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3
New York
N of 42° Latitude 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
S of 42° Latitude 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
North Carolina 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
North Dakota 3 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Ohio 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
Oklahoma 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Oregon
E of 122° Longitude 3 3 3 3/2 2 2 2/1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
W of 122° Longitude 3 3/2 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2 2 2/3
Pennsylvania
N of 41° Latitude 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
S of 41° Latitude 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Rhode Island 3 3 3 3/2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
South Carolina 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2
South Dakota 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Tennessee 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Texas
N of 31° Latitude 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
S of 31° Latitude 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2
Utah 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
Vermont 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Virginia 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3
Washington
E of 122° Longitude 3 3 3/2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2/3 3 3
W of 122° Longitude 3 3/2 2 2 2 2/1 1 1 1/2 2 2 2/3
West Virginia 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Wisconsin 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
Wyoming 3 3 3 3 3/2 2 2/1 1/2 2 2/3 3 3
A
Details of State Climatological Division by county as indicated:
California, North Coast—Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humbolt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara,
Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Trinity
D5798–99
California, Interior—Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Kern (except that portion lying east
of Los Angeles County Aqueduct), Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Marced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba,
Nevada
California, South Coast—Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles (except that portion north of the San Gabriel Mountain range and
east of the Los Angeles County Aqueduct)
California, Southeast—Imperial, Riverside, San Bernadino, Los Angeles (that portion north of the San Gabriel Mountain range and east of the Los Angeles County
Aqueduct), Mono, Inyo, Kern (that portion lying east of the Los Angeles County Aqueduct)
demonstrated for use with fuel ethanol (Ed75-Ed85). In addition, the test
4.1.2 The hydrocarbons blended with the denatured fuel
method outlined in Annex A1 is in the developmental stage and lacks
ethanol shall have a maximum boiling point of 225°C (437°F)
precision and bias determinations.
by Test Method D 86, oxidation stability of 240-min minimum
by Test Method D 525, and No. 1 maximum copper strip 6.1.1 Ethanol—Test Method D 5501.
6.1.2 Hydrocarbon/Aliphatic Ether Blend Content—Use
corrosion by Test Method D 130. The hydrocarbons may
contain aliphatic ethers as blending components as are custom- Test Method D 4815 to determine other alcohols, methyl
tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), and other ethers. Determine water
arily used for automotive spark-ignition engine fuel.
4.1.3 The denaturant for the denatured fuel ethanol used in by the Karl Fischer test method (see 6.1.11). Subtract the
concentration of alcohols and water from 100 to get the percent
making fuel ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) shall meet the requirements
of Specification D 4806 (see Section 5). hydrocarbon/aliphatic ether.
6.1.3 Vapor Pressure—Test Method D 4953, D 5190, or
4.1.4 Use of unprotected aluminum in fuel ethanol (Ed75-
Ed85) distribution and dispensing equipment will introduce D 5191.
6.1.4 Acidity—Test Method D 1613.
insoluble aluminum compounds into the fuel, causing plugged
vehicle fuel filters. Furthermore, this effect can be exaggerated 6.1.5 pH —Test Method D 6423.
e
6.1.6 Gum Content, Solvent Washed and Unwashed—Test
even with protected aluminum by elevated fuel conductivity
caused by contact with nitrile rubber dispensing hose. T
...