By Sodiq Afolayan
Due to the epileptic power supply in Nigeria, the use of diesel in power generation is no doubt a major alternative.
However, we must also commend the effort of the government in ensuring that power is stable.
More so, all heavy duty trucks run on diesel which further makes the demand for this precious petroleum product on the high side.
However, diesel supply and/or diesel retail at filling stations is handled mostly by business people (with optimum focus on profit making) other than professionals who understand the industry and know the importance of diesel quality parameters and its effective use in vehicles and generators.
This is not unconnected with the general impression that oil and gas business is a money making business.
Therefore, most people dabble into diesel business for solely profit motive and not being aware about other precautions like understanding diesel quality parameters and how it affect machines of consumers.
Worse, such businessmen are always disappointed when they realize diesel business is not as profitable as they earlier thought.
It is not a surprise that a very large percentage of diesel suppliers revert to adulteration (adding kerosene and other chemical substance into diesel) in order to make more profit.
Therefore, since kerosene is cheaper than diesel, such business people must have been able to reduce their cost per litre with about 40 percent which makes it possible for them to sell at a ridiculously cheap rate.
In most cases, the rate they sell is always cheaper than the open market rate at the depot.
However, the implications of buying such cheap and attractive are not palatable. These include but not limited to tailpipe dangerous carbon emission, environmental hazard, fast burning of diesel, increase in maintenance cost, machine frequent breakdown, reduction in life span of machine and replacement.
It is very important to safeguard your machines through the purchase of quality diesel from professionals and not dubious businessmen.
How to Prevent Buying Bad Diesel
Against the general perception that density (specific gravity) check is sufficient to know the quality of diesel, please be informed that diesel quality is determined through a very rigorous test which can only be carried out in the lab. The parameters to be tested for include flash point, viscosity, sulphur content, water content, octane index etc. All these play major roles in determining the quality of diesel.
However, for the purpose of a quick check, there are two simple tests you can run; Density and Water.
At least check the Diesel Density with a calibrated hydrometer and thermometer. Please avoid allowing the supplier to take diesel sample themselves. Request one of your reliable staff to get the sample directly from the suppliers’ tank and please avoid using the suppliers hydrometer.
You can also get a Water Paste to check if there is water in the diesel before you are supplied.
Need our Services?
We can deliver diesel at your door step. We also manage a Mobil filling station on Lagos-Ibadan express way, opposite NASFAT praying ground, Mowe/Ibafo. You can reach us through: Mobile Number: +2348030453937, +2348095896841, +2348127391821, Email Address: [email protected], Website: www.aveolar.com, Twitter: @aveolaroilgas, Office Address: KM 47, Lekki Epe Express Way, Majek Bus Stop, Abijo, Ibeju Lekki (from Ajah, about 5 minutes’ drive after Lagos Business School).
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