Conversion of Glycerol to Gasoline Additive

The gasoline additive Methyl-tertiary-Butyl Ether (MtBE) is the second most common contaminant of groundwater in the USA and represents an important soil contaminant. This compound has been detected in the groundwater in at least 27 states as a result of leaking underground storage facilities (gasoline storage tanks and pipelines). Since the health effects of MtBE are unclear the potential threat to drinking water supplies is serious. Therefore, the ability to detect MtBE at low levels (ppb) and on-line at high-risk groundwater sites would be highly desirable. This paper reports the use of ‘commercial’ and metal oxide sensor arrays for the detection of MtBE in drinking and surface waters at low ppb level (μg.L−1 range). The output responses from some of the sensors were found to correlate well with MtBE concentrations under laboratory conditions.

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Nafta Chapter Eleven Arbitral Tribunal: Methanex Corporation V. United States of America, Final Award on Jurisdiction and Merits

International Legal Materials ◽

10.1017/s0020782900006902 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 1345-1464 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

United States Of America ◽

Trade Agreement ◽

The United States ◽

Butyl Ether ◽

Tertiary Butyl ◽

The North ◽

The Usa ◽

Gasoline Additive

The Claimant, Methanex Corporation (“Methanex“), initiated this arbitration against the Respondent, the United States of America (the “USA“), on 3rd December 1999 under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA“), as a Canadian investor. As formulated in its Original Statement of Claim of 3rd December 1999, Methanex claimed compensation from the USA in the amount of approximately US$ 970 million (together with interest and costs), resulting from losses caused by the State of California's ban on the sale and use of the gasoline additive known as ‘ ‘MTBE'’ (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) which was then intended to become legally effective on 31st December 2002. MTBE is a synthetic, volatile, colourless and organic ether, with a turpentine-like taste and odour. Methanex was (and remains) the world's largest producer of methanol, a feedstock for MTBE. It has never produced or sold MTBE.

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Concentrations of Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Zinc in Snow from Near Dye 3 in South Greenland

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.1017/s0260305500004420 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 193-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

E.W. Wolff ◽

David A. Peel

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Early Spring ◽

The Arctic ◽

Late Winter ◽

Limited Data ◽

Crustal Component ◽

Mean Values ◽

Lead And Zinc ◽

Gasoline Additive ◽

Spring Maximum

Clean sampling and analysis procedures have been used to measure the concentrations of Al and four heavy metals in snow representing one year’s accumulation (1983-84) near Dye 3 in Greenland. Mean values were Al 17.5ng g−1, Cd 0.74 pg g−1, Cu 6.2 pg g−1, Pb 28 pg g−1 and Zn 27 pg g−1. Concentrations of the heavy metals are lower than previously reported at other Greenland sites for snowfall during the last 20 years. A distinct late-winter / early-spring maximum is seen for Al, Cu, Pb and Zn, in accord with other workers’ measurements of various species in the atmospheric aerosol in the Arctic. Cu appears to have a large crustal component, but Cd, Pb and Zn probably originate mainly from pollution. One explanation for the lower Pb values may be the considerable reduction in North American and European usage of Pb as a petrol (gasoline) additive during the last decade. These limited data emphasize the importance of obtaining a reliable century-long record of these metals in Greenland ice.

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