Butane Blending: Benefits through High Precision Vapor Pressure Testing

Butane blending is an important contributor to profits generated in refineries and in the pipeline. By adding exact quantities of Butane to finished gasoline, a considerable amount of cost savings can be realized year by year. Before, during and after blending, one important specification has to be considered at all times: Regulations limit the vapor pressure of gasolines and Butane has a considerably higher vapor pressure than gasoline. While blending can be performed throughout the year, a window of opportunity for Butane blending is generated when the weather gets cooler and the limits for vapor pressure are increased. 

This workshop demonstrated that accuracy in vapor pressure testing can significantly improve blending profitability, paying down vapour pressure analyzer equipment costs in short term.