NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy

Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications.

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

Blender Pump Fuel Survey: 

CRC Project E-95-2 

A. Williams and T.L. Alleman

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Technical Report

NREL/TP-5400-60627

May 2014
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy

Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications.

Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

15013 Denver West Parkway

Golden, CO 80401

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

Blender Pump Fuel Survey: 

CRC Project E-95-2 

A. Williams and T.L. Alleman

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Prepared under Task No. VTP2.0072

Technical Report

NREL/TP-5400-60627

May 2014
NOTICE

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. 

Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, 

express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of 

any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately 

owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, 

trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, 

or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors 

expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof.

This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy

Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications.

Available electronically at http://www.osti.gov/scitech

Available for a processing fee to U.S. Department of Energy

and its contractors, in paper, from:

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Scientific and Technical Information

P.O. Box 62

Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0062

phone: 865.576.8401

fax: 865.576.5728

email: mailto:reports@adonis.osti.gov

Available for sale to the public, in paper, from:

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Technical Information Service

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfield, VA 22161

phone: 800.553.6847

fax: 703.605.6900

email: orders@ntis.fedworld.gov

online ordering: http://www.ntis.gov/help/ordermethods.aspx

Cover Photos: (left to right) photo by Pat Corkery, NREL 16416, photo from SunEdison, NREL 17423, photo by Pat Corkery, NREL 

16560, photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL 17613, photo by Dean Armstrong, NREL 17436, photo by Pat Corkery, NREL 17721.

Printed on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 10% post consumer waste. 
iii

Acknowledgments 

The author acknowledges the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technology Program and the 

Coordinating Research Council’s Emissions Committee for co-funding this project.
iv

List of Acronyms

ASTM ASTM International 

CRC Coordinating Research Council 

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Exx xx vol% ethanol blended with pure gasoline 

MLEB mid-level ethanol blend

NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory

vol% volume percent 
v 

Executive Summary 

In 2012, the U.S. gasoline market was about 134 billion gallons [1], and the fuel ethanol market 

was 13.3 billion gallons [2]. Almost all fuel ethanol is used in gasoline as a 10 volume percent 

(vol%) blend. A far less significant amount is used as “E85” Flex Fuel (a fuel compliant with 

ASTM International Specification D5798 and formerly called E85). Mid-level ethanol blends 

(MLEBs) are an emerging ethanol option that contain more than 10 vol% ethanol but less than 

50 vol% ethanol. MLEBs are typically sold as discrete blends, such as 20 vol% (E20), and 30 

vol% (E30). The argument for offering MLEBs is to give consumers with Flex Fuel vehicles 

additional fuel choices at the pump. 

The Coordinating Research Council and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable 

Energy Laboratory conducted a survey of MLEBs in the market, in order to provide a snapshot 

of selected characteristics of the increasingly diverse array of fuels available to U.S. motorists. A 

total of 73 fuel samples were collected in February of 2013 from 20 retail stations located in the 

midwestern United States. Samples included gasoline (E0 or E10), “E85” Flex Fuel, and every 

MLEB that was offered from each of the 20 stations. 

All samples were analyzed by Southwest Research Institute for vapor pressure and ethanol 

content. For E10 samples there was very little variation in ethanol content. For the MLEB 

samples variability was higher, typically failing to meet the advertised ethanol level by 3 to 4 

vol%, and in one case was off by 10 vol%. One of the 20 “E85” Flex Fuel samples was above the 

allowable limits for ethanol content. Four of the 20 “E85” Flex Fuel samples had vapor pressures 

below the minimum requirement. 

In addition photographs of each station were taken at the time of sample collection, detailing the 

dispenser labeling and configuration. The style and labeling of the dispenser, hose and nozzle are 

all important features to prevent misfueling events. Furthermore, the physical location of the 

MLEB product relative to the gasoline product can also be important to prevent misfueling. In 

general there were many differences in the style and labeling of the dispensers surveyed in this 

study. 
vi

Table of Contents 

List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................... vii

List of Tables........................................................................................................................................... vii

Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 1

Methodology.............................................................................................................................................. 2

Station Identification ............................................................................................................................ 2

Sample Collection and Photographs..................................................................................................... 2

Property Analysis................................................................................................................................. 3

Fuel Property Results............................................................................................................................... 4

Gasoline Samples................................................................................................................................. 4

Station Photos....................................................................................................................................... 7

Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................ 12

References............................................................................................................................................... 13

Appendix A: Station Photographs......................................................................................................... 14

Appendix B: Tabulated Fuel Property Data .......................................................................................... 22
vii

List of Figures 

Figure 1. Relative station locations......................................................................................................... 2

Figure 2. Ethanol content for all fuel samples........................................................................................ 6

Figure 3. Vapor pressure for all fuel samples ........................................................................................ 7

Figure 4. Station #1 offered E15 from same nozzle as higher ethanol blends .................................... 8

Figure 5. Station #2 offered E15 from same nozzle as higher ethanol blends .................................... 8

Figure 6. Station #17 offered E15 from same nozzle as higher ethanol blends .................................. 9

Figure 7. Station #3 offered higher ethanol blends from the same hose as E10................................. 9

Figure 8. Station #14 offered higher ethanol blends from the same hose as E10............................. 10

Figure A.1 Station #4 .............................................................................................................................. 14

Figure A.2 Station #5 .............................................................................................................................. 14

Figure A.3 Station #6 .............................................................................................................................. 15

Figure A.4 Station #7 .............................................................................................................................. 16

Figure A.5 Station #8 .............................................................................................................................. 16

Figure A.6 Station #9 .............................................................................................................................. 17

Figure A.7 Station #10 ............................................................................................................................ 17

Figure A.8 Station #11 ............................................................................................................................ 18

Figure A.9 Station #12 ............................................................................................................................ 18

Figure A.10 Station #13 .......................................................................................................................... 19

Figure A.11 Station #15 .......................................................................................................................... 19

Figure A.12 Station #16 .......................................................................................................................... 20

Figure A.13 Station #18 .......................................................................................................................... 20

Figure A.14 Station #19 .......................................................................................................................... 21

Figure A.15 Station #20 .......................................................................................................................... 21

List of Tables 

Table 1. Summary of Results................................................................................................................... 4

Table 2. Description of Blender Pump Station Configuration............................................................. 11

Table B.1 Fuel Properties....................................................................................................................... 22
1 

Introduction 

In 2012, the U.S. gasoline market was about 134 billion gallons [1], and the fuel ethanol market 

was 13.3 billion gallons [2]. Almost all fuel ethanol is used in gasoline as a 10 volume percent 

(vol%) blend. A far smaller amount is used in “E85” Flex Fuel (a fuel compliant with ASTM 

International [ASTM] Specification D5798 and formerly called E85). Mid-level ethanol blends 

(MLEBs) are an emerging blend of “E85” Flex Fuel and gasoline. MLEBs contain more than 10 

vol% ethanol and less than 50 vol% ethanol and are typically sold as discrete blends, such as 20 

vol% (E20), and 30 vol% (E30). The argument for offering MLEBs is to offer consumers with 

Flex Fuel vehicles additional fuel choices at the pump. The recent U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) waiver allowing up to E15 in 2001 and newer cars, trucks, and sport utility 

vehicles should increase the volume of MLEBs in the marketplace. 

MLEBs are typically offered at stations with blender pumps. A blender pump draws fuel from 

two separate storage tanks and mixes the fuels to produce the desired ethanol blend ratio. In 

traditional gas stations, a blender pump is often used to get midgrade gasoline by mixing the 

regular and premium grade fuels. In a station that offers MLEBs, the blends are generally made 

by mixing “E85” Flex Fuel with regular gasoline [3]. 

With the increasing fuel diversity in the marketplace, the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) 

and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducted 

a survey of MLEBs in the market. The project assumed that the MLEBs were blended at the 

dispenser, by a so-called blender pump, from parent gasoline and D5798-compliant “E85” Flex 

Fuel. 
2 

Methodology 

Station Identification

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center was used to identify 20 stations 

with blender pumps that offered MLEBs. Each station was contacted prior to sample collection 

to ensure that MLEBs were being sold. While efforts were made to identify stations over a wide 

geographical area, these stations were all located in the midwestern United States. The relative 

locations of the stations are illustrated in Figure 1. 

Figure 1. Relative station locations

Sample Collection and Photographs 

A contractor was sent to each station to collect the fuel samples. At each station, a 1.5-liter 

sample was collected from each of the parent fuels (gasoline and “E85” Flex Fuel) along with 

every MLEB that was offered. In order to prevent sample carry-over, 3 liters of fuel were purged 

from the pump prior to collection of each individual fuel sample. A total of 73 fuel samples were 

collected from these 20 retail stations. All fuel samples were collected between February 9th and 

26th of 2013, targeting the wintertime class (D5798 Class 4). 

In the first E-95 study (2010), samples were collected in ASTM D5798 Class 1, which represents 

the lowest vapor pressure samples and the warmest months of the year (typically summertime 

fuels). Between the end of that study and the commencement of the current study, several things 

changed in the D5798 specification. First, D5798 was updated to reflect the necessity by 
3 

blenders to adjust the hydrocarbon portion of the blend across a wider range than previously 

allowed. This change allowed for a consistent, and generally wider range, of allowable ethanol 

content in each class, with the goal of blenders being able to meet vapor pressure requirements 

more easily year-round. The second major change was the addition of a fourth class for the 

wintertime months. The new Class 4 was added in a further effort to help blends produce onspecification fuels in the winter months. 

In this most recent study Class 4 fuels were targeted in order to draw the largest contrast to the 

Class 1 fuels sampled in a previous blender pump survey (CRC E-95) and to expand the limited 

information on commercially available “E85” Flex Fuel in this new class [4]. In the first E-95 

study, multiple tests were run on the Flex Fuel only, such as pHe, acidity, chloride, and sulfate. 

Results from that work, combined with results from CRC’s E-85 studies showed very few 

failures on these properties, even when the samples failed ethanol content and/or vapor pressure 

requirements. The decision to not test these properties on the Flex Fuel samples was twofold in 

this study: first, by reducing the number of tests, a larger number of samples could be collected, 

and second, with the focus of the study on blender pumps, only the critical properties of the 

parent fuels were collected (ethanol content and vapor pressure). By reducing the number of 

tests, the study was able to increase the number of stations from the previous project from 15 to 

20, increasing the number of MLEB samples from 25 to 33. 

Detailed photographs of the dispensers and stations were also taken at the time of sample 

collection. These included:

• Close-up photograph of dispenser, showing labeling specific to blends offered

• Photograph showing entire dispenser, including hoses 

• Photograph of island including dispenser 

• Photograph showing island configuration of MLEB dispenser, in relation to other islands 

at station 

• Photograph of station sign, looking for any indication that MLEBs are being sold at 

station. 

Property Analysis

All fuel samples were analyzed by Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. The 

vapor pressure of the gasoline and the “E85” Flex Fuel was analyzed for comparison to their 

respective requirements in D4814 and D5798 using ASTM D5191. The vapor pressure of the 

MLEBs was also measured using the same method. The ethanol content of all fuel samples was 

analyzed and compared to the appropriate ASTM specification and dispenser labeling captured 

in the station photographs. Gasoline and E15 blends were analyzed using D5599; ethanol content 

in samples above E20 was measured by D5501. Samples were also analyzed for water content 

and specific gravity to allow for ethanol content to be reported in vol%. 
4 

Fuel Property Results 

Gasoline Samples

To simplify sample collection, the contractor was instructed to sample regular unleaded gasoline, 

the “E85” Flex Fuel, and all MLEBs offered at each station visited. As discussed below, many of 

the stations offered E0 and E10. Because no additional direction was given to the contractor 

about what constituted “regular unleaded gasoline”, the samples collected varied and could be 

either E10 or E0 based on the contractor’s individual choice during sampling. In addition, it is 

unknown whether the MLEBs were blended from E0 or from E10. 

Of the 20 stations that were sampled, every location offered Flex Fuel labeled as “E-85.” E30 

was the most commonly available MLEB, offered at all but two stations. E20 was offered at half 

of the stations, while E15, E40, and E50 were less common. Thirteen of the 20 stations provided 

multiple options for MLEBs. One of the stations did not offer any MLEBs, although the station 

claimed to have the blends during the identification phase of the project. Table 1 shows the 

number of samples that were collected for each fuel type, along with statistics for the vapor 

pressure and ethanol content. As illustrated in this table, the ethanol content was generally lower 

than its indicated value. 

Many of the stations offered both hydrocarbon gasoline (E0) as well as oxygenated gasoline 

(E10). The contractors tasked with collecting the fuel samples only collected one of the two 

gasoline options. Consequently, 11 samples of hydrocarbon gasoline and 9 samples of 

oxygenated gasoline were collected from the 20 stations. From the information collected, it was 

unclear which form of gasoline was used as the parent fuel to make the MLEBs in the blender 

pump. 

Table 1. Summary of Results

Property Fuel Type

# of 

Samples Mean Median

Standard 

Deviation

DVPE, psi Gasoline (E0) 11 13.4 13.7 1.44

Oxygenated Gasoline 9 14.4 14.6 0.70

E15 3 14.2 14.0 0.41

E20 10 13.9 13.9 0.69

E30 18 13.5 13.6 0.92

E40 1 14.2 14.2 NA

E50 1 13.1 13.1 NA

“E85” Flex Fuel 20 10.0 10.5 1.64

Ethanol Content, vol% Gasoline (E0) 11 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1

Oxygenated Gasoline 9 10.4 10.3 0.10

E15 3 16.8 17.3 0.92

E20 10 18.0 17.3 3.35

E30 18 26.7 26.9 2.59

E40 1 29.7 29.7 NA

E50 1 44.2 44.2 NA

“E85” Flex Fuel 20 70.9 68.3 7.02

DVPE = dry vapor pressure equivalent

NA = not applicable

psi = pounds per square inch
5 

For each of the fuel samples, the ethanol content was determined by the appropriate test method 

(D5599 or D5501) based on fuel dispenser labeling. Figure 2 shows the results for ethanol 

content of all samples. The data are organized by station, showing the ethanol content for each 

product offered at the 20 locations. 

For the E10 samples there was very little variation in ethanol content. However, for the MLEB 

samples variability was higher, typically failing to meet the advertised ethanol level by 3 to 4 

vol%. The fuels tended to be lower in ethanol content than their indicated amount. Those 

samples that were furthest from their indicated levels were: E40 from Station #13 (30 vol%), E30 

from Station #8 (22 vol%), and both E20 and E30 from Station #7 (12 vol% and 22 vol%, 

respectively). Also of note is that for stations that offered multiple MLEB products, those 

MLEBs generally trended either high or low in ethanol content together. The most notable 

exception was Station #3 where E20 was high at 22 vol% and E30 was low at 26 vol%. In this 

instance, these two fuels were supplied by separate blender pumps at the same fueling island.

Figure 2 also shows the lower and upper ethanol limit for “E85” Flex Fuel (51 vol% to 83 vol%), 

per ASTM Specification D5798-13a. As can be seen in the figure, all of the samples were within 

these limits with the exception of Station #6, which contained 94 vol% ethanol. In 2011, the 

D5798 specification was changed to reduce the minimum ethanol content from 68 vol% down to 

51 vol% to allow for more high volatility hydrocarbon in the blends, which should result in an 

increase in vapor pressure. The E-85-1 and E-85-2 CRC reports both found that samples had 

difficulty meeting wintertime vapor pressure [5, 6]. The difficulty in meeting winter vapor 

pressure of “E85” Flex Fuel was one widely cited reason for a cessation of sales of “E85” Flex 

Fuel by Marathon Petroleum Company in 2009 [7]. In response to general industry difficulties, 

ASTM reduced the minimum ethanol content for all classes and added the fourth class to help 

ensure these fuels were fit for purpose. 
6 

Figure 2. Ethanol content for all fuel samples

Gasoline and “E85” Flex Fuel are required to meet specifications for fuel vapor pressure that are 

dependent on location and time of year. All but one of the “E85” Flex Fuel samples in this 

survey would fall under D5798-11 Class 4, with a vapor pressure requirement of 9.5 to 15.0 psi.

The one exception would be sample #14, collected in Kansas, which is listed as Class 3/4 for the 

month of February. The Class 3 vapor pressure requirement is 8.5 to 12.0 psi. Figure 3 shows the 

vapor pressure for all of these fuel samples along with the vapor pressure requirements for “E85” 

Flex Fuel. Four of the 20 “E85” Flex Fuel samples collected have vapor pressure below their 

minimum requirement, for a failure rate of 20%. For comparison, of the 37 Class 3 “E85” Flex 

Fuel samples collected in a previous fuel survey, the failure rate was 70% [6]. The extremely low 

vapor pressure of “E85” Flex Fuel collected at Station #6 is explained by the high level of 

ethanol (94 vol%). 
7 

Figure 3. Vapor pressure for all fuel samples

Station Photos

An additional objective of this survey was to understand MLEB dispenser labeling. To make this 

assessment, detailed photographs of the stations and dispensers were taken at the time of sample 

collection. The style and labeling of the dispenser, hose, and nozzle are all important features to 

minimize the probability of misfueling events. Furthermore, the physical location of the MLEB 

product relative to the gasoline product can also be important to prevent misfueling. As part of 

the E15 partial waiver, the EPA requires obligated parties to submit a Misfueling Mitigation Plan

[8]. In March of 2012, the EPA concluded that a model plan developed by the Renewable Fuels 

Association was sufficient to satisfy this partial waiver requirement. As part of this model plan, 

the Renewable Fuels Association describes three configurations where blender pumps are used to 

produce E15. They are as follows:

1. A dedicated E15 dispenser or a dedicated E15 hose at a multiple fuel dispenser.

2. E15 from the same nozzle and hose as E10. This creates the potential for a vehicle not 

included under the E15 partial waiver to receive residual amounts of E15 when fueling 

with E10. 

3. E15 from the same nozzle and hose as higher ethanol blends. This creates the potential 

for non-Flex Fuel vehicles to receive residual amounts of higher ethanol blends when 

being fueled with E15. 
8 

While the Renewable Fuels Association’s Misfueling Mitigation Plan was written specifically 

for E15, we make an assessment here of how the stations in this survey offer MLEBs in 

comparison to the model plan guidelines. Three of the 20 stations in this survey offered E15 

from the same nozzle and hose as higher ethanol blends (Configuration #3). Photos of this 

dispenser configuration as represented by these three stations are shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6. In 

addition, two of the 20 stations offered higher ethanol blends from the same hose as E10 (similar 

to Configuration #2). Photos of the dispensers in these two stations are shown in Figures 7 and 8. 

Each of the dispenser configurations in these five stations create the potential for introduction of 

residual amounts of higher ethanol fuel than is acceptable in non-Flex Fuel vehicles. Photographs 

of the other stations are included in the appendix.

Figure 4. Station #1 offered E15 from same nozzle as higher ethanol blends

Figure 5. Station #2 offered E15 from same nozzle as higher ethanol blends
9 

Figure 6. Station #17 offered E15 from same nozzle as higher ethanol blends

Figure 7. Station #3 offered higher ethanol blends from the same hose as E10
10 

Figure 8. Station #14 offered higher ethanol blends from the same hose as E10

Photographs of each station can be found in the appendix. Other general observations that can be 

noted from these photographs are listed below.

• Most of the pumps that offered “E85” Flex Fuel were labeled as “minimum 70% 

ethanol,” which was not the case in 11 of the 20 survey samples analyzed (see Figure 2) 

and likely represents old labeling from 2010 or earlier, when D5798 set minimum ethanol 

content at 70%. 

• While yellow color coding is common for MLEB dispenser nozzles and hoses, it is not 

universal. Four of the 20 stations did not have yellow dispenser nozzles and hoses for 

MLEB fuels. 

• Six of the stations which offered a single MLEB alongside “E85” Flex Fuel, offered the 

two products from separate hoses. 

• Three of the stations listed an octane number for the MLEBs that they offered. 

Table 2 lists the MLEB offerings and blender pump configurations for each station sampled. 
11 

Table 2. Description of Blender Pump Station Configuration 

Station 

# 

MLEB 

offerings 

Notes on Dispenser Configuration 

1 E15, E30 E15 offered from the same hose as E30 and “E85” Flex Fuel 

2 E15, E30 E15 offered from the same hose as E30 and “E85” Flex Fuel 

3 E20, E30 E10 offered from the same hose as E20 and “E85” Flex Fuel 

4 E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

5 E20, E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

6 E20, E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

7 E20, E30, E50 Dedicated MLEB hose 

8 E20, E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

9 E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

10 E20, E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

11 NA No MLEB was offered at this station 

12 E20, E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

13 E20, E40 Dedicated MLEB hose 

14 E20, E30 E10 offered from the same hose as E20, E30 and “E85” Flex Fuel 

15 E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

16 E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

17 E15, E30 E15 offered from the same hose as E30 and “E85” Flex Fuel 

18 E20, E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

19 E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 

20 E30 Dedicated MLEB hose 
12 

Conclusions 

In this work, 73 samples were collected from 20 separate blender pump stations located in the 

midwestern United States. Class 4 was targeted, with samples collected in February of 2013. 

This study was a follow-up to an earlier MLEB fuel survey (CRC E-95), which focused on Class 

1 fuels. Samples were analyzed by Southwest Research Institute for ethanol content and vapor 

pressure. In addition detailed photographs of the stations were collected at the time of sampling. 

Key findings in this survey are listed below: 

• For the E10 samples there was very little variation in ethanol content. 

• For the MLEB samples variability in ethanol content was higher, typically failing to meet 

the advertised ethanol level by 3 to 4 vol%, and in one case was off by 10 vol%. 

• One of the 20 “E85” Flex Fuel samples was above the allowable limits for ethanol 

content. 

• Four of the 20 “E85” Flex Fuel samples had vapor pressure below the minimum 

requirement for Class 4. 

• In general, there were many differences in the style and labeling of the dispensers 

surveyed in this study. Five of the 20 dispensers offered higher MLEBs (>E15) from the 

same hose as E10 or E15. These five dispensers create the potential for introduction of 

residual amounts of higher ethanol fuel than is acceptable in non-Flex Fuel vehicles. 

Both the E-95 and E-95-2 study focused on MLEBs offered in the midwestern United States. 

Although the surveys were somewhat limited by where the stations were located, the goal was to 

find states with the highest number of stations, then sample a subset in each state. Thus, states 

with only one or two blender pumps were excluded from sampling. 

The station locations in the previous study were rural, in areas that were not required to meet any 

of the footnotes in Table 4 in D4814, the gasoline specification. The footnotes in D4814 cover 

vapor pressure requirements during summer months for Federal ozone non-attainment areas, 

areas requiring reformulated gasoline, and/or areas that have state implementation plans for 

control of air quality. Future work may consider another summertime survey, particularly in 

areas where specific requirements are in place for gasoline, to determine if these gasolines have 

any impact on “E85” Flex Fuel properties compared to gasolines found in rural areas. Future 

work may also consider a wider distribution of sampling locations, including states where only 

one or two blender pumps may be located. 
13 

References

1. “How much gasoline does the United States consume?” U.S. Energy Information 

Administration. 2012. Accessed [October 21, 2013]: 

http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=23&t=10

2. “Petroleum and Other Liquids: Oxygenate Production.” U.S. Energy Information 

Administration. 2013. Accessed [October 21, 2013]: 

http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pnp_oxy_dc_nus_mbbl_a.htm

3. “Alternative Fuels Data Center: Blender Pump Dispensers.” U.S. Department of Energy 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 2012. Accessed [October 21, 2013]: 

http://www.afdc.energy.gov/technology_bulletin_0210.html

4. Alleman, T.L. “Blender Pump Fuel Survey.” CRC Report E-95, July 2011. Accessed 

[October 21, 2013]: http://www.crcao.org/reports/recentstudies2011/E-95/E95%20Final%20Report_25Jul2011.pdf

5. Alleman, T.L. “National Survey of E85 Quality.” CRC Report E-85, November 2009. 

Accessed [October 21, 2013]: http://www.crcao.org/reports/recentstudies2009/E-85/E85%20Final%20Report%20_120609_%20Revised.pdf

6. Alleman, T.L. “National 2010-2011 Survey of E85.” CRC Report E-85-2, December 2011. 

Accessed [October 21, 2013]: http://www.crcao.org/reports/recentstudies2012/E-85-

2/CRC%20Project%20E-85-2%20Final%20Report.pdf

7. Clark, W. “Technical Issues Update: U.L. Certifications and Fuel Testing.” National 

Renewable Energy Laboratory. 2009. Accessed [October 21, 2013]: 

http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/09/CC-TN/pdfs/Clark_Technical-IssuesUpdate.pdf

8. “Fuels and Additives: E15: Misfueling Mitigation Plans.” U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency. Accessed [October 21, 2013]: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/e15-

mmp.htm#handbook
14 

Appendix A: Station Photographs 

Figure A.1 Station #4 

Figure A.2 Station #5
15 

 

Figure A.3 Station #6 
16 

Figure A.4 Station #7 

Figure A.5 Station #8 
17 

Figure A.6 Station #9 

Figure A.7 Station #10 
18 

Figure A.8 Station #11 

Figure A.9 Station #12 
19 

Figure A.10 Station #13 

Figure A.11 Station #15
20 

Figure A.12 Station #16 

Figure A.13 Station #18 
21 

Figure A.14 Station #19

Figure A.15 Station #20
22 

Appendix B: Tabulated Fuel Property Data 

Table B.1 Fuel Properties 

Station 

Number

Indicated 

Nominal

Ethanol Content 

(D5501/D5599) vol%

DVPE 

(D5191) 

psi

Water 

(D6304) 

vol%

SPGr@60F 

(D4052)

1 E85 63.9 10.9 0.63 0.77

1 E15 17.4 13.9 0.73

1 E30 30.2 13.5 0.35 0.74

1 E0 <0.1 13.6 0.72

2 E15 15.8 14.6 0.73

2 E30 28.6 13.7 0.33 0.74

2 E85 74.7 10.1 0.76 0.76

2 E10 10.3 14.8 0.73

3 E20 22.4 13.2 0.23 0.73

3 E85 82.7 7.2 0.80 0.78

3 E0 <0.1 13.1 0.72

3 E30 26.2 13.0 0.28 0.74

4 E85 69.9 9.7 0.72 0.77

4 E0 0.2 14.0 0.72

4 E30 27.4 13.7 0.29 0.74

5 E10 10.5 14.2 0.73

5 E85 64.2 10.9 0.57 0.76

5 E30 29.0 13.5 0.23 0.74

5 E20 15.7 14.1 0.17 0.73

6 E20 22.2 14.5 0.23 0.73

6 E0 <0.1 14.7 0.72

6 E85 93.9 4.7 0.81 0.79

6 E30 32.2 14.2 0.31 0.74

7 E30 22.0 14.5 0.33 0.74

7 E20 11.8 13.7 0.12 0.73

7 E10 10.3 14.9 0.73

7 E85 67.1 10.3 0.52 0.77

7 E50 44.2 13.1 0.44 0.75

8 E20 16.7 14.8 0.17 0.73

8 E10 10.3 15.2 0.73

8 E30 22.0 14.6 0.23 0.73

8 E85 67.6 11.8 0.72 0.75

9 E10 10.3 14.5 0.73

9 E85 65.8 10.5 0.62 0.77

9 E30 27.6 14.0 0.27 0.74
23 

Station 

Number

Indicated 

Nominal

Ethanol Content 

(D5501/D5599) vol%

DVPE 

(D5191) 

psi

Water 

(D6304) 

vol%

SPGr@60F 

(D4052)

10 E0 <0.1 14.7 0.72

10 E85 66.6 10.5 0.63 0.77

10 E20 21.1 14.7 0.21 0.74

10 E30 25.7 14.4 0.25 0.74

11 E10 10.4 14.6 0.73

11 E85 69.6 11.6 0.56 0.75

12 E10 10.3 13.1 0.73

12 E20 17.9 12.9 0.18 0.73

12 E85 71.4 9.0 0.53 0.77

12 E30 25.4 12.6 0.23 0.74

13 E40 29.7 14.2 0.34 0.74

13 E0 0.1 14.6 0.72

13 E20 16.2 14.7 0.17 0.73

13 E85 67.0 10.8 0.66 0.77

14 E30 27.7 13.5 0.22 0.74

14 E20 19.6 13.5 0.15 0.73

14 E85 75.8 8.8 0.61 0.78

14 E0 0.3 13.3 0.72

15 E10 10.5 14.7 0.73

15 E30 26.4 14.4 0.27 0.74

15 E85 67.4 10.5 0.75 0.77

16 E85 71.3 9.4 0.76 0.78

16 E0 <0.1 13.7 0.73

16 E30 27.6 14.1 0.28 0.74

17 E30 27.8 13.2 0.26 0.73

17 E0 <0.1 14.3 0.72

17 E15 17.3 14.0 0.73

17 E85 74.5 10.3 0.58 0.76

18 E30 24.5 13.1 0.28 0.74

18 E10 10.2 13.3 0.73

18 E20 16.2 13.4 0.18 0.74

18 E85 67.6 10.7 0.40 0.77

19 E0 <0.1 10.7 0.73

19 E85 68.0 11.4 0.47 0.75

19 E30 24.6 11.7 0.26 0.74

20 E85 68.6 11.3 0.57 0.75

20 E30 25.5 11.3 0.19 0.74

20 E0 <0.1 10.7 0.73