A challenge for those involved in the transportation of bulk quantities of ethanol and ethanol products is the display of the correct identification number as a package mark on the bulk packaging. The challenge is primarily due to the number of different shipping descriptions available for ethanol products depending on the concentration of ethanol in the blend. Another factor is the difference in classification between PHMSA/USDOT and Transport Canada for the same ethanol blend.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) stepped in to provide the industry with guidance for determining the proper shipping name and the identification number (usually displayed on the placard) for various concentrations of ethanol and ethanol products. Below is a table of information provide by RFA.
| Ethanol Volume % Content in Blend (Exx) | Proper Shipping Name | Identification Number |
|---|---|---|
| E100 (undenatured) | Ethanol or Ethyl alcohol or Ethanol solutions or Ethyl alcohol solutions | UN1170 |
| E95 - E98 (ASTM D4806 denatured fuel ethanol) | Alcohols, n.o.s. | UN1987 |
| E95 - E98 (Canadian transport) | Denatured alcohol | NA1987 |
| E11 - E83 (ethanol fuel blends) | Ethanol and gasoline mixture or Ethanol and motor spirit mixture or Ethanol and petrol mixture, with more than 10% ethanol | UN3475 |
| E1- E10 (retail fuels) | Gasoline | UN1203 |
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Contact me with any questions you may have about the transportation of hazardous materials by air, highway, vessel, or rail International and Domestic Daniels Training Services, Inc. 815.821.1550 |