The South African Revenue Service (SARS) recently shut down a multibillion-rand diesel blending operation, once again exposing the on-going illegal commercial practice of mixing diesel with paraffin. Truck transporters seeking to optimise their operating expenses are vulnerable to black market diesel suppliers whose cheap adulterated fuel seriously compromises truck engine lifespan. Here, diesel supplier Masana Petroleum Solutions offers advice on how to avoid falling prey to dodgy diesel dealers and why you should avoid adulterated diesel at all costs.
“The illegal practice of diesel being mixed with paraffin and often sold at lower prices may seem like an immediate cost-saving solution but the damage it can inflict on your fleet is far from inexpensive,” says Morena Sithole, managing director of Masana Petroleum Solutions.
“Adulterated diesel, commonly mixed with paraffin, presents several risks which can be dangerous. Paraffin has a lower viscosity and lubricity than diesel, that leads to increased wear on critical components of your engine’s fuel system, such as fuel injectors and pumps. This can cause a rise in maintenance costs, lead to engine failure, and increased downtime, directly affecting your operational efficiency,” he explains.
“Moreover, adulterated diesel fails to meet the SANS 342:2016 standard that governs diesel quality in South Africa. This standard ensures that diesel performs optimally in terms of viscosity, flashpoint and sulphur content.
“Over time, contaminated fuel can lead to corrosion in fuel systems, clogged injectors, increased particulate matter emissions and increased fuel consumption. This can result in more frequent servicing and ultimately transporters might find themselves replacing entire engines prematurely due to the continued use of poor-quality fuel,” says Sithole.
Steering clear of diesel contamination
In order to avoid the risks associated with adulterated diesel, it is crucial to implement a few best practices, says Sithole, including: sourcing from reputable, certified suppliers who can guarantee compliance with local fuel standards like SANS 342.
“Using a supplier with a transparent supply chain can eliminate the risk of receiving adulterated fuel,” Sithole advises. “Regularly testing the quality of the fuel delivered to your fleet is equally important. Using a laboratory accredited by SANAS 17025 or certified to SABS ISO 9001 standards will ensure the reliability of your fuel’s test results.”
Routine maintenance of diesel storage facilities helps maintain the integrity of the diesel dispensed to trucks, Sithole adds. “Ensure that your storage tanks are clean, dry and properly maintained to avoid fuel contamination. Even high-quality diesel can degrade if stored in poor conditions.”
Educating truck drivers and support staff on the importance of using the right-quality fuel to improve the reliability of the fleet is another key best-practice discipline for a truck fleet, Sithole adds.
“At Masana Energy Solutions, we understand the importance of providing quality fuel for your commercial road transport needs. Our strategic partnership with bp Southern Africa provides the additional assurances on the quality of our products and the integrity of our value chain, ensuring that you receive only the highest quality diesel,” concludes Sithole.
