GB16663-2025
Alcohol-based liquid fuel
醇基液体燃料
GB 16663-2025 is an upcoming mandatory Chinese national standard for Alcohol-based liquid fuel. It appears in the Chemicals compliance cluster with a energy efficiency focus and has an implementation date of Sep 1, 2026.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard applies to civil alcohol-based liquid fuel primarily composed of methanol, water, and blue colorants, designed for use in combustion appliances. It covers three fuel grades: AF-80, AF-90, and AF-95, catering to various heating and cooking applications. Industrial alcohol-based liquid fuels may refer to this standard for execution, though it is explicitly tailored for civilian use.
Technical requirements
The standard outlines the physical and chemical properties for alcohol-based liquid fuel, including strict limits on methanol content, density, and net calorific value across different fuel grades. It mandates that the sum of methanol and water mass fractions must meet a minimum threshold, ensuring high fuel purity. The formulation strictly prohibits the use of industrial recovered methanol and harmful corrosive components. Additionally, it sets specific parameters for safety colorants, requiring the use of blue dyes (such as anthraquinone) that dissolve rapidly without leaving mechanical impurities. The standard also defines critical safety thresholds, including limits on sulfur content, formaldehyde content, and ash content, to mitigate toxicity and environmental hazards.
Testing methods
The standard mandates specific testing protocols to verify compliance. Methanol content is determined using gas chromatography (Appendix A), while formaldehyde content is measured via spectrophotometry (Appendix B). Other key evaluations include density measurement using the U-tube oscillation method, net calorific value testing, and pH value determination. Strict visual inspection and mechanical impurity checks are also required for quality assurance.
FAQs
What products are regulated under GB 16663-2025?
The standard regulates alcohol-based liquid fuel primarily used for civil combustion appliances (such as cooking and heating). It classifies the fuel into three grades: AF-80, AF-90, and AF-95, based on methanol content. Industrial alcohol-based liquid fuels may refer to this standard for execution.
Are there any updates from the previous version of GB 16663?
The 2025 version is a mandatory revision replacing the 1996 edition. Key updates include the addition of product grading (AF-80, AF-90, AF-95), new requirements for water content and ash content, and updated testing methods for methanol and formaldehyde. It also introduces new chapters for safety and stricter requirements for raw materials and colorants.
How does GB 16663-2025 differ from international ISO standards?
While the standard references general chemical and petroleum testing methods (such as ISO-aligned GB/T standards for density and sulfur content), it includes specific normative appendices for determining methanol content via gas chromatography and formaldehyde content via spectrophotometry, tailored specifically for this fuel mixture.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 16663-2025. To ensure complete compliance for your products entering the Chinese market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 16663-2025 today to access all detailed parameters, tables, and testing procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Product
- CCS
- F 19
- ICS
- 75.160.20
- Competent department
- National Energy Administration
- Technical committee
- National Technical Committee on Petroleum Products and Lubricants of Standardization Administration of China
Relationships
Replaces:GB 16663-1996 (Current)