Section 70. Sampling, testing, and oxygen content calculations  


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  • A. Sampling methodologies used by the commissioner to determine compliance with this chapter shall be those set forth in Appendix D, 40 CFR Part 80, which is hereby adopted by reference.

    B. Determination by the commissioner of the oxygenate and its weight and volume in gasoline shall be in accordance with test method ASTM D 4815-89 as set forth in ASTM specification D 4814 or other methods developed or approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

    C. Oxygen content shall be calculated by the commissioner by multiplying the mass concentration of each oxygenate in gasoline by the oxygen molecular weight contribution of the oxygenate. All volume measurements shall be adjusted to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For the purpose of calculating oxygen content, the following oxygen molecular weight contributions shall be used:

    Oxygenate

    Oxygen Mass Fraction

    Relative Density
    60/60°F

    Methyl Alcohol

    0.4993

    0.7963

    Ethyl Alcohol

    0.3473

    0.7939

    n-Propyl Alcohol

    0.2662

    0.8080

    Isopropyl Alcohol

    0.2662

    0.7899

    n-Butyl Alcohol

    0.2158

    0.8137

    Isobutyl Alcohol

    0.2158

    0.8058

    sec-Butyl Alcohol

    0.2158

    0.8114

    tertiary-Butyl Alcohol

    0.2158

    0.7922*

    Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether

    0.1815

    0.7460

    Ethyl tertiary-Butyl Ether

    0.1566

    0.7452

    tertiary-Amyl Methyl Ether

    0.1566

    0.7752

    tertiary-Hexyl Methyl Ether

    0.1377

    0.7860

    Dilso propyl ether 0.1566

    0.1566

    0.7300

    *Extrapolated, below freezing temperature.

    D. Oxygenated gasoline shall consist of a single homogenous mixture, presenting no indication of phase separation when tested by the commissioner in accordance with the test method described in Annex A3 of ASTM Specification D-4814.

    1. -8°C (17°F) during the month of January.

    2. -7°C (19°F) during the month of February.

    3. -3°C (26°F) during the month of March.

    4. 3°C (37°F) during the month of April.

    5. 9°C (48°F) during the month of May.

    6. 10°C (50°F) during the months of June, July, August, and September.

    7. 4°C (39°F) during the month of October.

    8. -2°C (28°F) during the month of November.

    9. -7°C (19°F) during the month of December.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR115-04-28 § 7, eff. November 1, 1993.

Statutory Authority

§§ 59.1-153 and 59.1-156 of the Code of Virginia.