We have been receiving a lot of inquiries regarding ASTM D8080, Standard Specification for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Used as a Motor Vehicle Fuel. While published in 2021, this standard has taken on more prominence since the United States Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2024-49 for the Clean Fuel Production Credit on May 31 of 2024.
The Inflation Reduction Act allows a credit for the production of clean transportation fuels beginning January 1, 2025. Notice 2024-49 provides guidance on registering for the Credit, and Section 3.03(10), Low-GHG natural gas, which refers to natural gas that produces a relatively low amount of greenhouse gas emissions and includes renewable natural gas, whether compressed or liquefied, specifically requires the gas “meets the specifications of ASTM International D8080-21” to register and receive the credit.
While the measurement requirements of ASTM D8080 are similar to gas quality specifications issued by natural gas pipelines for injection of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) into their network, ASTM D8080 was written to address the specific needs of internal combustion engines designed for use in motor vehicles.
ASTM D8080 requirements include:
- Methane
- Heating value (expressed as Wobbe Index)
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Water dew point
- Total sulfur
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Maximum particulates
- Siloxanes
- Compressor oil
In addition to listing the required substances/properties to be measured, the standard specifies approved test methods for each, and specifications for each fuel grade. While most of the above looks familiar and is required by most RNG gas quality specifications, Maximum Particulates and Compressor Oil are unique to motor vehicle fuel. For Maximum Particulates, ASTM D7651 is required, and that was originally written for the Gravimetric Measurement of Particulate Concentration of Hydrogen Fuel, but has been adopted here. For Compressor Oil, ASTM Work Item WK49305, Practice for Determining Compressor Oil Carryover in Compressed Natural Gas Used as a Natural Gas Motor Vehicle Fuel, is required, but that method has since been published by ASTM as D8251.
Onsite Sampling and Laboratory Analysis
Ohio Lumex is ready to support you now with both sampling and laboratory analysis to certify that you meet the specifications required by ASTM D8080. Our team of certified field service technicians can come onsite to perform the sampling to the required methods, and our accredited analytical laboratory can conduct your analysis and issue the certificates needed for your compliance submission.
Have a follow up question? Email Bennett Rubin and he’ll be happy to discuss it with you in greater detail.
