scope:

FOREWORD

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of steel in contact with fuel ethanol has been observed in user terminals, specifically storage tanks and loading/unloading racks prior to blending. SCC has not been observed in storage tanks used by ethanol producers or in equipment after blending ethanol with fuel. These observations prompted API and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to fund a research program to examine the factors that could lead to SCC of steel in fuel ethanol and to gain greater understanding of the extent of SCC in field equipment. The research program was conducted concurrently by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), CC Technologies, and Honeywell Process Systems. SwRI acted as the overall coordinator of the research program and focused on a systematic study of the effect of fuel ethanol chemistry on SCC of carbon steel. Separate reports of the results from these studies are provided in Parts I - IV of this report.

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.