The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has denied a waiver for Ethyl Corp.'s manganese based unleaded gasoline additive, fearing it would increase hydrocarbon emissions.
The additive, methylcyclotentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), would have been used in a concentration Of 1/32 g of manganese/gal. MMT has been used in Canada for about 13 years.
Ethyl withdrew a similar application in 1990, explaining that the 6 month EPA process did not provide enough time to answer agency concerns that the additive might increase hydrocarbon emissions. It refiled the application last year (OGJ, July 22, 1991, p. 37).
Ethyl said EPA wanted it to withdraw the latest application in order to discuss new testing. In response, Ethyl asked EPA to extend the deadline to allow time to focus on the additive's effect on automobile catalysts. EPA refused.
Bruce Gottwald, Ethyl president, said, "We are profoundly disappointed that EPA has chosen to deny our waiver application for HiTEC 3000 performance additive. We have worked for more than 2 years with the EPA to address every concern raised during that period. It is particularly frustrating that we have had two 6 month reviews during this time only to come to this end.
"EPA's denial appears to be based on automakers' allegations that result from very limited research and are contrary to real world experience with catalytic converter performance.
"We continue to believe our tests, the most extensive undertaken in support of a fuel additive, leave no doubt that our product should have been approved under the Clean Air Act."
EPA said the additive would increase unburned hydrocarbon emissions from gasoline fueled vehicles, helping create smog in urban areas.
William Reilly, EPA administrator, said, "Ethyl's cooperation with the agency on this petition has been excellent. But the continuing smog problem in many of our urban areas makes it impossible for me to grant the request."
EPA said data show adding MMT to unleaded gasoline would increase tailpipe emissions and compound automakers' difficulties in designing 1994 model year cars to comply with more stringent emissions standards.
It said U.S. and non-U.S. auto companies opposed the use of MMT in unleaded gasoline.
Ethyl said if all gasoline contained the additive, it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10 billion lb/yr and nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions 1.7 billion lb by 1999. It said the additive would save as much as 85,000 b/d of crude oil.
Gottwald said Ethyl stands by its testing program and will examine EPA's written decision before deciding how to proceed.
Copyright 1992 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
