REDUCTION OF VARIATION IN THE GASOLINE BLENDING PROCESS - A CASE-STUDY

In an attempt to reduce the release of gasoline vapors into the atmosp here, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed restri ctions on the volatility of commercial gasoline. In particular, they h ave set an upper specification limit on the gasoline's volatility as m easured by the Reid vapor pressure (RVP). Exceeding the EPA's upper sp ecification limit may result in a fine to the refiner. While there is no lower specification limit imposed by the EPA, lower RVP values requ ire greater production costs. This article describes the efforts of on e refiner to meet the EPA requirements with minimum economic disbenefi t. Various statistical tools were used during this effort. The paper d emonstrates a variety of successful SPC applications in the continuous process industry.