COMPARING KEY PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF ARTISANAL AND REGULAR DPK AND PMS PRODUCTS IN RIVERS STATE-NIGERIA

Abstract

Refineries in Nigeria are producing below installed capacities and this has resulted in the inability to refine enough PMS and DPK to meet local consumption. This has led to increase in the activities of artisanal refining in the Niger Delta, which invariably adulterates the product. This study was aimed at comparing the physical parameters of artisanal with regular Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK) to compare their compliance with ASTM standards. The artisanal PMS and DPK samples were purchased, prepared and analyzed by SOP as stated by ASTM. The results obtained for PMS were: density of artisanal PMS (APMS) (0.768±0.00035) and regular PMS (RPMS) (0.764±0.00028), Reid vapour pressure (RVP) of APMS (27.67±2.52kPa) and RPMS (45.00±1.41kPa), specific gravity of APMS (0.769±0.0004) and RPMS (0.765±0.0003), Flash point of APMS (30±0.0010C) and RPMS (<300C). Those of DPK were: density of artisanal DPK (ADPK) (0.820±0.0001) and regular DPK (RDPK) (0.787±0.420C), Specific gravity of ADPK (0.821±0.001) and RDPK (0.788±0.0001), RVP of ADPK (<1KPa) and RDPK (<1KPa), Flash point of ADPK (72.30±2.520C) and RDPK (75±2.830C). The findings revealed that specific gravity for both artisanal and regular PMS and DPK were within ASTM specification, while RVP for APMS was below ASTM specification but within ASTM specification for RPMS. Also, distillation ranges of APMS were above ASTM specification but were within ASTM specification for RPMS. Distillation ranges of ADPK before 90% were below ASTM specification but became above thereafter. Based on these findings, the study concludes that, the refining process of artisanal PMS and DPK may not have been appropriate or adulteration may have taken place which may cause problems in automotive engines, human health and the environment. However, this domestic innovation of refining can be upgraded to bring about improved quality of PMS and DPK.