Pemex to deploy E6 ethanol blend to replace MTBE
In Mexico, Pemex announced that it would commence production of an E6 ethanol blend in Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City, stating that it would phase out the use of MTBE as an oxygenating fuel additive. MTBE has been used for many years to increase the complete burning of fuel to reduce emissions, but the additive has been found to cause toxic groundwater contamination, and ethanol has been widely used as an MTBE substitute.
Pemex said that it would commence distributing E6 in a test fleet starting next month, and distribute 52 Mgy of ethanol to Guadalajara by 2010. The state oil company said that it would spend up to $30 million on infrastructure to support the change to E6. Long-term, Pemex said that it would expand distribution to Monterrey and Mexico City and move towards an E10 blend, as well as test biodiesel as a lubricating additive to ultra-low sulphur diesel.
What do you think? What do you think this story means for bioenergy? Leave a comment below and get the community engaged on what you see as the real issues - others will be glad you did!
Subscribe FREE to the world's most-widely read biofuels daily.
