International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Detection of Methyl tert-butyl Ether (MTBE) in Gasoline Fuel using FTIR: ATR spectroscopy

    ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Physics, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 4, Issue (12), Pages 65-68, December,22 (2015)

Abstract

Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is the primary oxygenate additive used in gasoline fuel in compliance with the Clean Air Act requirements to reduce emission level of spark ignited automotive engines. However, MTBE is also classified as a possible carcinogen and there have been several cases where the compound is found to contaminate soil and ground water through its used as oxygenate in fuel. Therefore in the present work gasoline samples collected from different filling stations in Aizawl were analyzed for the presence of MTBE using Fourier Transform Infrared – Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy in the mid IR region. Out of 14 samples tested one sample is found to contain MTBE. The presence of the oxygenate in gasoline is identified from its distinct IR absorption bands at 1203, 1085 and 852 cm-1 due to the CC and CO vibrational modes of the molecule. IR mode assignment of gasoline fuel in the 650-3750 cm-1 region is also discussed and presented.

References

  1. Muralikrishnan R, Swarnalakshmi M. and Nakkeeran E., Nanoparticle-membrane filtration of vehicular exhaust to reduce air pollution: A review, Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., 3(4), 82-86 (2014)
  2. Saini B., Verma R., Himanshu S.K. and Gupta S., Analysis of exhaust emissions from gasoline powered vehicles in a sub-urban Indian town, Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., 3(4), 82-86 (2014)
  3. Balwant K., Kumar S.U. and Sukanta N., A review of some specific air pollutants and its exposure related to human health, Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., 4(9), 82-86 (2015)
  4. Tanasorn T., Kalaya Z. and Anusorn R., Relative study on blood BTEX, testosterone hormone, kiney and liver functions in gasoline station workers, Thailand, Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.,1(5), 48-57 (2012)
  5. Clean Air Act Amendments, 42 U.S.C., 1857 et seq., (1990)
  6. Calvert J.G., Heywood J.B., Sawyer R.F. and Seinfeld J.H., Achieving Acceptable Air Quality: Some Reflections on Controlling Vehicle Emissions, Science, 261, 37-45, (1993)
  7. Hamid H. and Ali M.A., Handbook of MTBE and other gasoline oxygenates, Marcel Dekker, 14 (2004)
  8. Reuter J E, Allen B C and Richards R.C., Concentrations, sources, and fate of the gasoline oxygenate methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in a multiple-use lake, Environ. Sci. Technol., 32, 3666-3672 (1998)
  9. Johnson R., Pankow J. and Bender D., MTBE, to what extent will past releases contaminates community water supply wells?, Environ. Sci. Technol., 34, 210A-217A (2000)
  10. Status and Impact of State MTBE Bans, Energy Information Administration, 2003-03-27 (2003)
  11. Toxicological Profile for Automotive Gasoline, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry(ATSDR),CAS No. 8006-61-9 (1995)
  12. Smith B.C., Infrared Spectral Interpretation: A Systematic Approach, CRC Press, 78 (1999)