The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of TAME and heavier ethers on reformulated gasoline. The research work focused on the comparison of Californian Phase 2 gasoline (CARB), current Finnish reformulated gasoline containing MTBE (RFG1), or MTBE+TAME+heavier ethers (RFG2) with non-oxygenated Eurograde gasoline (EN228).
Significant reductions in exhaust emissions were achieved with all reformulated fuels when compared to the Eurograde fuel. For instance, benzene emissions were reduced as much as 40 to 50 % for all cars at two temperatures and the emissions of total toxics were reduced by 14 to 45 % depending on vehicle type and temperature. The lowest 1,3-butadiene emissions were achieved with CARB gasoline.
The amount of PAH compounds in the particulate matter from the non-catalyst vehicle was lower with the reformulated fuels than with the Eurograde fuel. The amount of volatile PAH compounds in semivolatile phase of particles seemed to be reduced with reformulated gasoline as well.
As gasoline blending components TAME and heavier ethers proved to be as good as MTBE. Additionally they improved the octane number distribution of reformulated gasolines.