API Bull 939E:2008

Usage of fuel ethanol as an oxygenate additive in gasoline blends is increasing both in the United States and internationally. This document discusses stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of carbon steel tanks, piping and equipment exposed to fuel ethanol as a consequence of being in the distribution system, at ethanol distribution facilities, or end user facilities where the fuel ethanol is eventually added to gasoline. Such equipment includes but is not limited to:

• storage tanks,
• piping and related handling equipment, and
• pipelines

that are used in distribution, handling, storage and blending of fuel ethanol. However, data for pipelines in ethanol service is limited and caution should be used when applying guidelines from this document which have been derived mainly from applications involving piping and tanks in ethanol storage and blending facilities. SCC of other metals and alloys is beyond the scope of this document as is the corrosion of steel in this service.