Estimation of petrol and diesel adulteration with kerosene and assessment of usefulness of selected automobile fuel quality test parameters

Abstract

Kerosene is common adulterant utilized for mixing with diesel. Five fuel-adulterant mixtures in different proportions by volume were prepared and individually tested for density and kinematic viscosity. The mixtures were administered to six light cargo vehicles and the tail pipe exhaust emission was tested for opacity value. No appreciable density variation at different levels of adulteration was observed. Density was within the prescribed value even at higher adulteration. Considerable decrease in kinematic viscosity, a departure from prescribed viscosity, was noted at higher adulteration level. The percent opacity value decreased sharply even at small level of adulteration. The probable amount of kerosene present as an adulterant in diesel dispensed at filling stations in Kathmandu city ranged between 35% and 50%. The observations suggest density test is not a good indicator of diesel adulteration. Kinematic viscosity and opacity value are useful diesel adulteration test parameters. Existing diesel adulteration warrants initiation of strict compliance regulation.

Characteristics of Performance and Emissions in a Directinjection Diesel Engine Fuelled With Kerosene/Diesel Blends

“…As seen in Table 1, increasing the concentration of kerosene in the blends decreases the density, calorific value, kinematic viscosity and cetane number of the blended fuel compared with neat diesel, but increases these values compared with neat kerosene. Yadav et al [16] have reported that no appreciable density variation at different levels of adulteration was observed, while a considerable decrease in kinematic viscosity was noted at higher adulteration levels of kerosene with diesel. …”

“…The experimental results showed that lower soot emissions were obtained with the kerosene-diesel blends at low load compared with neat diesel, while soot emission was similar to that of diesel fuel at high load; similar results were reported by Bergstrand [17].The variations of smoke, HC, NO x and CO for different BMEPs at 1500 rpm are shown in Figure 5. Yadav et al [16] have experimentally demonstrated that the percent opacity value decreased sharply even at a small adulteration level of kerosene with diesel. NO x refers to a class of compounds called nitrogen oxides, which usually represents a mixture of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ).…”

“…The literature related to the effect of kerosene on diesel fuel properties shows that kerosene improves the cold flow characteristics of diesel fuel by simply diluting the problematic paraffin waxes present in the diesel fuel distillation curve. Baral and Raine [15] and Yadav et al [16] have reported that the density of the kerosene-diesel blend remains within the prescribed limit even in higher blends, while kinematic viscosity is considerably decreased with an increase in blend ratio. Experimental work related to kerosene-diesel blends is carried out by very few researchers.…”

“…Experimental work related to kerosene-diesel blends is carried out by very few researchers. Yadav et al [16] have demonstrated experimentally that the percent opacity value decreased sharply even at a small adulteration level of kerosene with diesel. Bergstrand [17] has reported that kerosene has a lower cetane number than diesel, thus giving a longer ignition delay, making it viable for lower emissions.…”

Adulterating the quality of automotive gas oil using dual purpose kerosene: Effects on compression ignition engines, humans and environment

“…The term DPK stem from the fact that the product can be used both as an aviation fuel and for domestic purposes (cooking) this is slightly different from HHK (Household Kerosene) which is basically used for domestic purposes (Gupta et al, 1992). Mixing specific amount of DPK with AGO does not lead to an increase in tailpipe emission but contributes to air pollution however high level adulteration could have adverse effects on compression ignition engines (Yadav et al, 2005). Unlike PMS, diesel engines do not use high voltage spark ignition plugs but compression ignition stroke (Mishra et al, 2008).…”