S.C. Code Ann. Regs. 5-445 – Standard Fuel Specifications.

1. Gasoline and Gasoline-Oxygenate Blends - (as defined in this regulation) shall meet the following requirements:
1. A. The most recent version of ASTM D 4814, “Standard Specification for Automotive Spark Ignition Engine Fuel,” except that volatility standards for unleaded gasoline blended with ethanol shall not be more restrictive than those adopted under the rules, regulations, and Clean Air Act waivers of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (which includes rules promulgated by the State). Gasoline blended with ethanol shall be blended under any of the following three options:
  1. i. The base gasoline used in such blends shall meet the requirements of ASTM D 4814; or
    ii. The blend shall meet the requirements of ASTM D 4814; or
    iii. The base gasoline used in such blends shall meet all the requirements of ASTM D 4814 except distillation, and the blend shall meet the distillation requirements of the ASTM specification.
2. B. Blends of gasoline and ethanol shall not exceed the ASTM D 4814 vapor pressure standard by more than 1.0psi.
3. C. Minimum Antiknock Index (AKI) - The AKI shall not be less than the AKI posted on the product dispenser or as certified on the invoice, bill of lading, shipping paper, or other documentation.
4. D. Minimum Motor Octane Number - The minimum motor octane number shall not be less than 82 for gasoline with an AKI of 87 or greater.
5. E. Minimum Lead Content to Be Termed “Leaded” - Gasoline and gasoline-oxygenate blends sold as “leaded” shall contain a minimum of 0.013g of lead per liter (0.05 g per U.S. gal).
6. F. Lead Substitute Gasoline - Gasoline and gasoline-oxygenate blends sold as “lead substitute” gasoline shall contain a lead substitute which provides protection against exhaust valve seat recession equivalent to at least 0.026g of lead per liter (0.10g per U.S. gal).
  1. i. Documentation of Exhaust Valve Seat Protection - Upon the request of the director, the lead substitute additive manufacturer shall provide documentation to the director that demonstrates that the treatment level recommended by the additive manufacturer provides protection against exhaust valve seat recession equivalent to or better than 0.026g per liter (0.1 g/gal) lead. The director may review the documentation and approve the lead substitute additive before such additive is blended into gasoline. This documentation shall consist of:
    1. a. Test results as published in the Federal Register by the EPA Administrator as required in Section 211(f)(2) of the Clean Air Act; or
    2. b. Until such time as the EPA Administrator develops and publishes a test procedure to determine the additive’s effectiveness in reducing valve seat wear, test results and description of the test procedures used in comparing the effectiveness of 0.026g per liter lead and the recommended treatment level of the lead substitute additive shall be provided.
7. G. Blending - Leaded, lead substitute, and unleaded gasoline-oxygenate blends shall be blended according to the EPA “substantially similar” rule or an EPA waiver for unleaded fuel.
2. Diesel Fuel - shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 975, “Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils.”
1. A. Premium Diesel Fuel - All diesel fuels identified on retail dispensers, bills of lading, invoices, shipping papers, or other documentation with terms such as premium, super, supreme, plus, or premier must conform to the following requirements:
  1. i. Cetane Number - A minimum cetane number of 47.0 as determined by ASTM Standard Test Method D 613.
    ii. Low Temperature Operability - A cold flow performance measurement which meets the ASTM D 975 tenth percentile minimum ambient air temperature charts and maps by either ASTM Standard Test Method D 2500 (Cloud Point) or ASTM Standard Test Method D 4539 (Low Temperature Flow Test, LTFT). Low temperature operability is only applicable October 1 - March 31 of each year.
    iii. Thermal Stability - A minimum reflectance measurement of 80% as determined by ASTM Standard Test Method D 6468 (180 min, 150 C).
    iv. Lubricity - A maximum wear scar diameter of 520 microns as determined by ASTM D 6079. If an enforcement jurisdiction’s single test of more than 560 microns is determined, a second test shall be conducted. If the average of the two tests is more than 560 microns, the sample does not conform to the requirements of this item.
3. Aviation Turbine Fuels - shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 1655, “Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels.”
4. Aviation Gasoline - shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 910, “Standard Specification for Aviation Gasoline.”
5. Fuel Oils - shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 396, “Standard Specification for Fuel Oils.”
6. Kerosene (Kerosine) - shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 3699, “Standard Specification for Kerosine.”
7. Ethanol - intended for blending with gasoline shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 4806, “Standard Specification for Denatured Fuel Ethanol for Blending with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel.”
8. E85 Fuel Ethanol - shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 5798.
9. M85 Fuel Methanol - shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 5797, “Standard Specification for Fuel Methanol M70-M85 for Automotive Spark Ignition Engines.”
10. Biodiesel - B100 biodiesel intended for blending with diesel fuel shall meet the most recent version of ASTM D 6751, Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels.
11. Biodiesel Blends - Blends of biodiesel and diesel fuels shall meet the following requirements:
1. A. The base diesel fuel shall meet the most current requirements of ASTM D 975, Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils.
2. B. The biodiesel blend stock shall meet the most current requirements of ASTM D 6751, Standard Specification for Biodiesel Fuel (B100) Blend Stock for Distillate Fuels.
3. C. Exception - Biodiesel may be blended with diesel fuel whose sulfur or aromatic or lubricity levels are outside specification ASTM D 975, Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils, grades 1-D, or 2-D, provided the finished mixture meets pertinent national and local specifications, including ASTM D 975 standards.

HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 32, Issue No. 3, eff March 28, 2008.