Corrosion and corrosion inhibition in an environment of ethanol – gasoline blends

Ethanol produced from renewable resources is considered as an ecological substitute for a fossil gasoline. Ethanol blended with the fossil gasoline is able to significantly change the properties of the blended fuel as polarity, conductivity, ability to absorb air humidity and ability to dissolve a high percentage of water etc. All these properties are growing with an increasing content of ethanol and all of them can cause higher corrosivity of blended fuel. Material compatibility of metalic construction materials of the vehicle fuel system is also decreased in the environment of ethanol – gasoline blends (EGB’s). Furthermore, components of production, transport and storage equipment may be at risk of corrosion. EGB’s with an ethanol content of about 60% vol. show high corrosive aggressivness, especially if they are contaminated with water and trace amounts of ion, which may occur if proper storage, transport and production conditions are violated. Losses caused by corrosion of equipment may be prevented by using of suitable additive. Diethylenetriamine (DETA) can be used as such additive for the mild steel which is one of the most commonly used construction material. When DETA is used, it shows very high efficiency.