Effect of Petroleum Condensate/Gasoline Mixture on Automotive Engines

Twelve combustible mixtures of condensate/gasoline were evaluated with the aim to delimit the extent at which the adulteration of premium motor spirit (PMS) with condensate samples becomes hazardous to spark-ignited gasoline engines. Results of the quality-assurance tests (low RON (research octane number) rating and low volatility corroborated by <0.45 kg/cm² RVP (Reid vapor pressure) and high boiling-point (IBP (initial boiling point), FPB (final boiling point), and TR (total recovery)) ranges of atmospheric distillation) show that 16–100% (v/v) of condensate in the adulterated blends are undesirable for automotive engines. Such fuels may cause rough idling, detonation (pinging), and eventual knock of the spark-ignited engine. Continued availability of petroleum products in developing countries like Nigeria might discourage the uncanny practice of ‘black marketers’ who perpetrate the distribution of the ‘killer products’. This might also boost the already impeded consumer trust on petroleum products.