Page 41 - Energize August 2022

VIEWS AND OPINION

test costs around R5500 (more than ten Dirty diesel can cause increased sophisticated laboratory instrumentation.
times the lateral flow test) and has to be abrasive wear of injectors and fuel South Africa produces three grades of
outsourced. pumps, while water can cause corrosion diesel containing either less than 10 ppm,
Although it is possible for gas of fuel system components. There are 50 ppm or 500 ppm of sulphur. Diesel (and
chromatography to be carried out on many companies which can remediate, other fuels) coming into the country from
the suspect diesel sample to look for or clean contaminated diesel and it over-border sources may not be subject to
IP itself, because of the very similar would be hoped that the engine’s our laws restricting the amount of sulphur
physical and chemical characteristics of on-board fuel filtration system would present in the diesel and represent a
the two liquids and the large number of go some way to keeping harmful hazard to both the lubrication of the
compounds in each, the process is slow, contaminants away from sensitive engine and the operation of emission
expensive and not particularly accurate. mechanical components. control components.
Whilst on the topic of contaminants in The other ‘contaminant’ which It is wise to keep your diesel clean
diesel, it is important to take a quick look should be considered is sulphur. Sulphur and dry and not to pollute it with foreign
at the other contaminants which can be containing compounds are naturally compounds which could cause engine
found in diesel and may have a deleterious occurring in diesel but are removed damage as well as being illegal.
effect on the fuel’s performance. during the refining process as sulphur Should you think your diesel is dirty
The two most common contaminants can poison catalytic converters found or has been doctored, please contact the
are dirt and water. Contamination from on most modern diesel engines. High nearest WearCheck laboratory right away.
these two sources is usually a matter of sulphur can also have an effect on
poor hygiene practice, as they enter the combustion by-products entering John Evans is a diagnostics manager at
diesel through the supply train. Diesel the engine oil and reducing its ability WearCheck.
leaving the refinery will be clean and to lubricate the engine adequately.
dry, but transport, storage, dispensing The testing for the IP marker is fairly Contact WearCheck, Phone 031 700-5460,
and use all introduce sources of straightforward, easy and cheap to carry support@wearcheck.co.za,
contamination. out; however, sulphur testing requires www.wearcheck.co.za
WCk Wind Energize 148x210 copy.pdf 1 2022/05/12 9:17 AM

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