As more regions increasingly adopt clean-fuel regulations, the challenge for refiners is to meet these tightening gasoline specifications for benzene cost-effectively without significant octane loss.
Under present clean-fuel regulations, specifically Mobil Source Air Toxics II (MSAT II), US refiners must reduce the benzene content in gasoline to 0.62 vol% on an average annual basis. This rule went into effect Jan. 1, 2011, for large refiners; small refiners received deferments until 2015. In Europe and many other countries, a 1 vol% maximum benzene level in gasoline is also in effect. Other regions are expected to adopt similar clean-fuel regulations. For refiners, the challenge is to meet these tightening gasoline specifications for benzene cost-effectively without significant octane loss.
CHALLENGES
Several approaches are available to reduce benzene levels in finished gasoline. Nap
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