Supporting Advancements in Alternative Fuels
ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants, a committee of over 1,500 members from 52 countries, has developed over 650 fuel-related standards, including several specifications that address the need for alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol. To support the production of biodiesel, Committee D02 developed ASTM D 6751, Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels, a quality standard for pure biodiesel before it is blended with diesel fuel. D 6751 provides an industry consensus standard that assists suppliers in registering their product with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and insures proper performance for users.
In the area of ethanol, ASTM D 5798, Standard Specification for Fuel Ethanol (Ed75-Ed85) for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engines, is the key specification used in the production of E85 fuel for flexible fuel ground vehicles with automotive spark-ignition engines. ASTM D 4814, Standard Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel, is the specification for automotive gasoline and its blends with up to 10 volume % ethanol. ASTM D 4806, Standard Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for Blending with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel, is the specification for the ethanol intended to be blended with gasoline at 1 to 10 volume %.
Ultra-Low-Sulfur Fuel Standards on D02 Agenda
The development of new standards for ultra-low sulfur fuel is also on the agenda of ASTM Subcommittee D02.H0 on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Low-sulfur fuel specifications will allow the LPG industry better access to new markets and will help advance new low emission technologies such as fuel cells, microturbines and hybrid electric vehicles where LPG (commercial propane and butane gas) is the fuel of choice.
Advancing the Future of Nuclear Energy Systems
ASTM standards will also play a role in facilitating a future generation of nuclear energy systems that is currently being studied by a group of international countries. Ten countries including the United States have agreed on a framework for global cooperation in research for a new generation of safer, reliable and sustainable nuclear systems called Generation IV.
In the Unites States, the leading concept among Generation IV systems is the next generation nuclear plant (NGNP), which is envisioned to be a high-temperature reactor cooled with either helium or a molten fluoride salt. The primary structural material candidates for control rod guide tubes and control rod structural elements in the helium cooled NGNP include fiber-reinforced SiC/SiC composites because of the resistance of these materials to both high temperature and high radiation exposure.
To support the eventual development of design guides for the manufacture and qualification of these components, ASTM Committee C28 on Advanced Ceramics has formed a new task group to focus on fuel cells. Subcommittee C28.04 on Applications focuses on the development of standardized test methods related to the properties and performance of the ceramic components in solid oxide fuel cell systems, as well as the electrochemical performance of single-cell solid oxide fuel cells. The intent is to direct SOFC developers and users on how to test SOFC prototype materials and systems in a uniform and consistent manner that will give an accurate, complete and comparable performance.
New Initiative Focuses on Hydrogen in Energy Generation
A subcommittee within ASTM Committee D03 on Gaseous Fuels is working on standards relating to hydrogen used in energy generation, internal combustion engines, or as feed gas to low, medium and high temperature fuel cells. Subcommittee D03.14 on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells is currently working on numerous standards in this dynamic alternative energy field with participation from a diverse range of stakeholders representing the hydrogen, natural gas and fuel-cell industries. Subcommittee D03.14 works closely with Subcommittee D03.12 on On-Line/At-Line Analysis of Gaseous Fuels to develop standard practices related to continuous or semi-continuous measurement of trace impurities in hydrogen and with Subcommittee D03.01 on Collection and Measurement of Gaseous Samples in the development of high pressure hydrogen sampling standards.
Detecting Natural Gas in Coal Is Subject of Proposed Coal and Coke Standard
Natural gas from unconventional sources such as coal beds (coal bed methane) has become a common target for exploration in recent years. Coal gas demand continues to grow and is expected to provide about 10 percent of U.S. production in the future. However, there are no standards available that describe procedures used to determine the gas content of North American coal and the most commonly accepted guide to the subject does not include methods currently used for low-rank coal.
In order to fill this need, ASTM Committee D05 on Coal and Coke is developing WK8750, Standard Practice for Determination of Gas Content of Coal—Direct Desorption Method, that will potentially be used by government, industry and research laboratories to establish procedures for equipment construction, sample preparation, and testing procedure and method of calculation. The proposed standard is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D05.21 on Methods of Analysis.
E44 Standards Promote Renewable Energy for the Public Benefit
Since 1978, ASTM Committee E44 on Solar, Geothermal, and Other Alternative Energy Sources has developed standards that play a pre-eminent role in all aspects important to the technology for conversion of solar and geothermal renewable energy to directly usable energy forms.
E44 standards cover many areas of renewable energy, such as solar heating and cooling systems and materials; photovoltaic electronic power conversion; and geothermal utilization and materials. Technical experts on Committee E44 continue to work on new standards relating to methods and applications of solar and geothermal energy conversion for the public benefit including: heating of domestic hot water; active and passive space heating and cooling; process heating; thermal conversion power generation; and advanced energy conversion, including wind energy.
Many other ASTM technical committees and subcommittees are also addressing the need for standards relating to alternative energy and conservation topics. Examples include Subcommittee E48.05 on Biomass Conversion, which is developing standards for renewable energy that uses agricultural residue and converts it into fuel; as well as Committees C16 on Thermal Insulation and E06 on Performance of Buildings, which have developed standards that assist in the development and sustainability of environmentally sound buildings and structures.
Become Involved in the Standards Development Work of ASTM International
ASTM provides the framework and consensus process that ensures fairness to all participants. ASTM’s state-of-the-art electronic systems and tools facilitate global participation and access to the publications and the ongoing maintenance of standards. Enhanced cooperation and deeper participation from all stakeholders will be key in meeting the energy challenges of the future. For more information or to learn how to become a member of an ASTM technical committee, please visit the ASTM Web site at www.astm.org.
Release #7590