Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the color spectrum of premium motor spirit (PMS) sold in dispensing stations around Sapele metropolis in comparison with the color scale (comparator) for petroleum products and to ascertain if PMS quality is determined by color hue in relation to octane rating. PMS, also known as petrol or gasoline, is a mixture of branched-chain aliphatic alongside a small proportion of aromatic hydrocarbons. Petroleum product samples were obtained from different petrol dispensing stations around Sapele metropolis from 1st to 31st April, 2023. In order to assess the color of petroleum products, international standards like ASTM D1500 and ASTM 156 (Saybolt) scales were used for quality control tests. A clean beaker of about 500-mL was properly washed and rinsed, thereafter white fluorescent light or LED bulb was prepared. 100 mL of each sample was weighed (in a beaker) with the aid of a measuring cylinder, afterwards the color of the sample was tallied with the color scale (comparator) for petroleum products. Color unit 0.5 (pale straw) had frequency of five samples, which represents 25%. Fuel stations such as Obryan, Nipco, Hydropet, A-Gene-Ezes, and Akpojevughe had color hues of “pale straw” with unit 0.5, while Premium, Baseyom, Kay J, Gaye, Rainoil Olympia, and Rainoil Ajogodo had unit 1.5 color hue “pale gold”, which was the highest unit representation at 30%. This research found that PMS products sold within Sapele metropolis fell within a range of 0.5 (pale straw) to 3.0 (medium amber) and could be regarded as “good oil’ with a fairly high level of purity.
Key words: Premium motor spirit (PMS), ASTM D1500, color, fuel, octane rating.
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