As a Petroleum Engineer with specialisation in Production and Structure, I would like to share my View on the African game Changers: Dangote’s Refine Product that has gone Viral, Making Many ask why the product has a waterlike Colour. My Name is Ing. Peter Debrah.
The clear nature of Dangote’s fuel, resembling water, can be understood from a chemical and practical perspective. The colour of petrol typically varies due to the presence of additives that serve specific purposes such as enhancing performance, increasing efficiency, or even as identifiers for taxation purposes. The specific characteristics of Dangote’s fuel, particularly its clear appearance, suggest using ethanol as an additive rather than other common fuel components like octane boosters or lead.
Breakdown of Key Factors:
Fuel Coloration and Additives:
- Red petrol often indicates the addition of octane boosters to increase the fuel’s performance by raising the octane number, which improves combustion under high pressure.
- Green petrol suggests a moderate amount of octane, which may have similar but slightly less potent performance-enhancing effects.
- Yellow fuel typically indicates the absence of lead, which was historically added to gasoline to prevent engine knocking but has been phased out in favour of unleaded fuel due to its harmful environmental effects.
- Clear fuel, like Dangote’s, suggests the use of ethanol, which is a clean, renewable additive.
Ethanol as a Fuel Additive:
Ethanol is a biofuel derived from organic matter such as corn or sugarcane. When blended with petrol, ethanol provides several benefits:
- Improved Combustion Efficiency: Ethanol contains oxygen, which facilitates more complete combustion within an engine. This improves fuel efficiency and ensures more power is extracted from each drop of fuel.
- Cleaner Emissions: The oxygen-rich nature of ethanol reduces the production of harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). When fuel burns more completely, fewer harmful byproducts are released into the environment. This positions ethanol-blended fuels as an eco-friendly option, aligning with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Engine Health: Ethanol helps to clean engine components by reducing carbon deposits, which can build up over time and cause performance degradation. Cleaner engines operate more efficiently and experience less wear and tear.
Why Ethanol-Enhanced Fuel is Clear:
Ethanol, when blended with petrol, lacks the pigments or dyes that are sometimes added to conventional fuels for differentiation or regulatory reasons. Its natural clarity contributes to the water-like appearance of the fuel. In contrast, traditional petrol may be coloured due to the presence of additives that stabilize fuel performance or indicate tax categories (e.g., different colours for agricultural or domestic use).
Environmental and Economic Implications:
- Air Quality and Pollution: Ethanol’s ability to improve combustion efficiency leads to lower emissions of CO₂, a key greenhouse gas, and other pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx). The use of ethanol-blended fuels contributes to reducing air pollution, a critical issue in densely populated regions.
- Economic Opportunities: Ethanol is a renewable resource, and its integration into the fuel supply offers economic benefits, particularly for countries like Nigeria. The production and use of ethanol reduce dependency on pure fossil fuels, help stabilize fuel prices, and create new opportunities for agricultural sectors that supply biofuel crops.
- Sustainability Goals: For Nigeria, where Dangote operates, the shift toward ethanol-blended fuel aligns with global sustainability goals, reducing the carbon footprint of energy consumption. This move can also help the country comply with international environmental standards and agreements, potentially boosting its global standing.
The clarity of Dangote’s fuel can be directly linked to its ethanol content, which offers numerous advantages both for engine performance and the environment. The strategic use of ethanol enhances fuel efficiency, reduces harmful emissions, and improves overall engine health.
Additionally, the eco-friendly nature of ethanol makes this type of fuel the best form of petrol for countries aiming to reduce pollution while maintaining high energy standards.
Dangote’s contribution to Nigeria’s energy landscape through ethanol-enhanced fuel production is a significant step towards sustainability, and the company should be commended for embracing such forward-thinking practices. This also positions Nigeria as a key player in the green energy transition in Africa, signaling a broader move towards cleaner fuels on the continent.
By: Ing. Peter Debrah
(CEO, Pedlo Energy Company Plc)
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