NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
Journal of the Faculties of Science and Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
ISSN: 1119-9008
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE
Email: njse@universityjournals.org
QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PETROLEUM FRACTIONS FROM ROAD SIDE VENDORS AND FILLING STATIONS IN EFFURUN, DELTA STATE
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE.16.014.2 | Article Number: DA099E14 | Vol.12 (2) - September 2013
Author: Otobrise C
Keywords: Petroleum fractions, adulteration, black market, filling stations.
The levels of adulteration in Petroleum fractions like petrol (PMS), kerosene (DPK) and
diesel (AGO) was studied. Samples were collected from some road side vendors (black market)
and filling stations within Effurun in Delta state. They were analysed for density at 150C, specific
gravity at 600F, API gravity, Reid vapour pressure, kinematic viscosity, dynamic viscosity, cloud
point, pour point, flash point, auto distillation and moisture content, using standard procedures of
the ASTM. The results were compared with limits set by the Department of Petroleum Resources
(DPR) in Nigeria. The investigation revealed the level of adulteration to be significant. The deviations
of the physio-chemical properties of PMS from DPR limits ranged between 4.83-6.21% for
density at 150C; 0.03-1.45% for specific gravity at 600F; -8.93- -4.72% for API gravity; 311.11-
388.89% for Reid vapour pressure; -46.00- -45.00% for kinematic viscosity; -41.43- -40.00% for
dynamic viscosity; 0.00- 10.00% for cloud point and <7.14% for flash point. The deviations of the
same properties for DPK samples ranged between 0.98%; 0.00%; -2.84%; <-80%; -31.00- -
30.00%; -28.75- -28.13%; 0.00% and 36.00-40.00%. Whereas the deviations of the same properties
for AGO samples ranged between 4.76-8.17%; 1.13-4.42%; -15.63-0.15%; <-47.37%; 4.00-
41.67%; 3.08-45.00%; -150.00- -100.00% and -42.22-40.00%.
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