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Diesel goes one step better
- by Garth Cambray
Many of us remember the diesel fuel vehicles of old -
slow, stinky vehicles that spewed black smoke as they
rattled and shook along. Since the early 1990's this has
all changed with the gradual replacement of the diesel
fleet with newer technology turbo-charged diesel engine
vehicles. New turbo-charged diesel engine vehicles offer
the low revolution tractor like-torque (that is why
diesels are renowned for their trailer and caravan
towing ability) and now have increased power to match
their petrol-powered rivals at higher revs.
This advance in engine technology drove a need for
advances in diesel fuel technology. Sulphur, which is a
harmful component in diesel fuel, has for many years
been present at high concentrations in South African
diesel fuel. For South African consumers this has
changed. Sasol Oil (Pty) Ltd, the subsidiary in the
Sasol group responsible for the marketing of a wide
range of modern fuels and lubricants, has introduced
Sasol TurboDiesel™ into the South African fuel market.
New regulations in South Africa require an 80% reduction
of sulphur content in diesel as compared against pre
2002 diesel sulphur levels. As fuel market leaders,
Sasol has launched its new Sasol TurboDiesel™ brand.
This diesel fuel exceeds even international performance
requirements and is a first for the South African
market. Sasol TurboDiesel™ has gone beyond the new South
African legislative requirements of 0.3% sulphur content
enforced from 1 January 2002, by guaranteeing a diesel
with a maximum sulphur content of only 0.05%.
Sulphur in diesel contributes towards the formation of
the acid rain causing and lung-damaging pollutant,
sulphur dioxide. It is also directly related to the
amount of soot formation in a diesel engine and hence
also the amount of particulates introduced into the
atmosphere. In addition to polluting the atmosphere,
these chemicals pollute the vehicle's engine itself:
causing changes in the lubricating oil composition as
well as the poisoning of the exhaust treatment
catalysts, degrading their performance. In the long
term, these chemical changes reduce the efficiency of
the oil, meaning a need for frequent oil changes. Low
sulphur fuels, such as Sasol TurboDiesel™ extend the
life-span of the oil as it is not degraded as quickly.
Longer oil-change intervals translate to direct savings
of time and resources.
Sasol TurboDiesel™ will bring immediate improvement in
the gaseous exhaust emissions from diesel engines and
the effect will be particularly important in vehicle
applications such as school buses, city buses,
under-ground mines and refuse removal. Sasol TurboDiesel™
ensures a 45 - 70% reduction in potentially harmful
exhaust emissions and an 80% reduction in sulphur
dioxide, a primary cause of breathing difficulties. This
decrease in sulphur content also translates into
increased efficiency of exhaust treatment catalysts,
which in turn translates into a cleaner atmosphere and
hence less health-related costs.
This reduction will be noticed by vehicle drivers and
pedestrians alike who will benefit from a cleaner
environment.
Sasol TurboDiesel™ is dyed purple for ease of
identification. This unique new diesel product has been
designed and developed to benefit all categories of
diesel users - from a new generation, hi-performance
turbo-charged diesel passenger car, to sports utility
vehicles, light delivery vehicles (bakkies), trucks and
earth moving machines.
Future advances in diesel engine technology are being
made possible by low sulphur fuels and Sasol TurboDiesel™
is making it possible for South African consumers to
benefits from these advances. Products of sulphur formed
during the combustion of fuel are either problematic
foulants or corrosive. Advances in exhaust gas treatment
technology have given us the catalytic converter for
petrol vehicles. Such technologies are not yet available
in most diesel vehicles due among other reasons to
fouling problems. Promising technologies developed for
chimney stacks have revolved around ceramic particulate
filters and catalytic systems. A major stumbling block
in the development of these technologies to complement
diesel engines has been the high levels of sulphur and
of sooty particulates which rapidly foul emission
reduction systems. To reduce the particulates one has to
reduce their causes, the major being fuel sulphur
content. The provision of low sulphur fuels by market
leaders such as Sasol, paves the way for the development
of Africa relevant emission reduction systems.
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Editorial: As diesel vehicle owners we are pleased to
note the following list of benefits of the new Sasol
TurboDiesel™
-improved engine performance;
-longer engine life;
-extended oil change intervals;
-and a cleaner environment.
The savings resulting from using better fuel will save a
pickup truck/bakkie owner about R4500 (US$370) every
30000km. The use of low sulphur fuel in combination with
a used oil monitoring programme increases the oil change
interval from 7500km to 15000km (For vehicle's still
under warrantee the marketer must be consulted before
drain intervals are extended). For a small business with
one vehicle, this represents a 50% reduction in days
lost to vehicle maintenance.
In some ways this new fuel will be like a better bottle
of wine for a car - it causes less wear and tear than
plonk, the headache will be much lighter than with
plonk, the mood better and the bouquet terrific.
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