China: Fuels: Gasoline Fuel

China 6 Gasoline Requirements

The specifications for China 5, China 6a and China 6b gasoline are defined in the GB 17930-2016 standard published in December 2016. Table 4 summarizes the requirements for China 6 gasoline.

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The primary change from China 5 to China 6a is the lowering of the benzene, aromatics and olefins limits from 1.0, 40 and 24 to 0.8, 35 and 18 % volume. The primary change from China 6a to China 6b is a lowering of the olefin limit from 18 to 15 % volume. 98 RON fuels can be offered if a producer has production capability. For both China 6a and China 6b 98 RON gasoline, the olefin limit is 15 % volume.

**Table 4**
China 6a and China 6b gasoline requirements
Property	Grade				Test Method
Property	89	92	95	98	Test Method
Research octane number (RON) min.	89	92	95	98	GB/T 5487
Anti-knock index (AKI), (RON+MON)/2 min.	84	87	90	93	GB/T 503, GB/T 5487
Lead content^b, g/L max.	0.005				GB/T 8020
Distillation 10% evaporation temp., °C max. 50% evaporation temp., °C max. 90% evaporation temp., °C max. Final boiling point, °C max. Residue, % volume max.	70 110 190 205 2				GB/T 6536
Vapor pressure, kPa November 1^st - April 30^th May 1^st - October 31^st	45-85 40-65^a				GB/T 8017
Gum content mg/100 ml max. Unwashed gum (before adding detergent) Solvent washed gum	30 5				GB/T 8019
Induction period, min.	480				GB/T 8018
Sulfur, max.	10				GB/T 0689
Mercaptan (Doctor Test)	sweet				NB/SH/T 0174
Copper corrosion, 3h @50°C max.	1				GB/T 5096
Water-soluble acid and alkali	none				GB/T 259
Water and sediment	none				Visual inspection. Referee methods: GB/T 511 and GB/T 260
Benzene, % volume max.	0.8				SH/T 0713
Aromatics, % volume max.	35				GB/T 30519
Olefins, % volume max.	6a: 18 6b: 15			6a/6b: 15	GB/T 30519
Oxygen, % mass max.	2.7				NB/SH/T 0663
Methanol^b, % mass max.	0.3				NB/SH/T 0663
Manganese^b, g/L max.	0.002				SH/T 0711
Iron^b, g/L max.	0.01				SH/T 0712
Density @20°C, kg/m³	720-775				GB/T 1884, GB/T 1885
^a Guangdong and Hainan implement this requirement throughout the year. ^b The use of methanol and additives containing lead, iron and manganese is not allowed.