Draft European Ethanol Specifications
Europe has not adopted official ethanol specifications. The table below is a draft document subject to change and pending formal approval by participating European nations.
| Parameter |
Method |
min. |
max. |
Unit |
| Ethanol content + higher saturated alcohols |
% (m/m) |
98,7 |
- |
EC/2870/2000 – method I, Appendix II, Method B b |
| Higher saturated (C3-C5) mono-alcohols content |
% (m/m) |
- |
2,0 |
EC/2870/2000 – method III b |
| Methanol content |
% (m/m) |
- |
1,0 |
EC/2870/2000 – method III b |
| Water content |
% (m/m) |
- |
0,300 |
EN 15489 c |
| Inorganic chloride content |
mg/l |
- |
20,0 |
EN 15484 or prEN 15492 d |
| Copper content |
mg/kg |
- |
0,100 |
EN 15488 |
| Total acidity (expressed as acetic acid) |
% (m/m) |
- |
0,007 |
EN 15491 |
| Appearance |
|
Clear and Bright |
Visual inspection c |
| Phosphorus content |
mg/l |
- |
0,50 |
EN 15487 |
| Involatile material content |
mg/100ml |
- |
10 |
EC/2870/2000 – method II e |
| Sulfur content |
mg/kg |
- |
10,0 |
EN 15485 or EN 15486 f |
a See 4.4.1.
b For ethanol purity, higher saturated (C3 C5) mono-alcohols content, methanol content and appearance, an improved test method is under development in CEN.
c A cross check validation may show that a Karl Fischer volumetric method is also applicable, but in cases of dispute the indicated method shall be used.
d See 4.6.2.
e For involatile material an improved test method is under development in CEN [6].
f See 4.6.2. These methods have special provisions for ethanol which are not incorporated in the usual petroleum test methods such as EN ISO 20846 [7] and EN ISO 20884 [8].
NOTE 1 A maximum sulfate content limit will be added once a test method standard (momentarily under development as a revision of EN 15492) has been published.
NOTE 2 To adequately limit the strong acidity and the alkaline substance, which cannot be sufficiently determined via pHe [9], test method(s) are under development in CEN and a limit will be added once test method standards have been published.
|
|
