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BAPE QUESTIONS DIESEL QUALITY On April 1st the reduced tariffs introduced by Government on the importation of diesel vehicles take effect. The Barbados Association of Professional Engineers (BAPE) welcomes Government’s efforts to encourage the increased use of diesel vehicles in Barbados. Modern diesel engines are quieter, more powerful and cleaner than those of the past, and provide far better fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts. There are other considerations however, which need to be taken into account when assessing the overall impact of the use of diesel on the environment and the economy. One very important factor is the quality of the diesel being used. This factor plays an integral part in realizing any potential benefits from the new incentives. Of particular importance are the cetane and sulphur levels of the diesel fuel used. The cetane number is a measure of the fuel’s combustion quality; fuels with higher cetane numbers achieve a better quality of combustion. Cetane levels below that recommended by vehicle manufacturers could result in increased engine wear, exhaust emissions and maintenance requirements. The European Standard for automotive fuels (EN590: 2004) sets a minimum cetane number of 51 for automotive diesel sold in Europe. In Barbados, the minimum cetane index for diesel imported into the island is 42. Our relatively high average ambient temperatures may support the lower cetane level, but this should be investigated and verified. There has been a significant drive internationally to reduce sulphur levels in diesel fuels. This focus seeks to reduce harmful emissions including the fine particulates produced during combustion (a potentially serious health risk) and also allows for the fitting of sophisticated exhaust cleaning systems to further improve emissions. In order to meet the increasingly stringent emission standards being introduced worldwide and to take advantage of these better quality diesel fuels, many modern diesel passenger vehicles now use common rail direct injection systems, catalytic converters and particulate filters all of which are intolerant of high sulphur levels. The maximum permissible sulphur content for automotive diesel sold in Europe is 50 parts per million (ppm) with a target of 10 ppm by 2009. In the USA, the maximum permissible sulphur content for automotive diesel is 15 ppm. In Barbados, the maximum allowable sulphur content of diesel imported to the island is 5000 ppm. The specific fuel requirements for new diesel vehicles will vary by manufacturer, however the limits for sulphur and cetane are likely to be close to the values indicated above. Consumers are therefore advised to check the vehicle manufacturer’s fuel specifications before making purchase decisions. Indeed, some vehicle manufacturers may already be “protecting” us by simply withholding their efficient diesel models from our market based on the quality of diesel fuel available on the island. Government and other stakeholders will need to re-examine the specifications for diesel imported to the island, with a view to improving the quality to a level that conforms to manufacturers’ requirements for new vehicle designs. A phased approach will be necessary, as it will likely take refiners and suppliers in the region some time to upgrade their systems to meet any improved specifications imposed. Nevertheless, these measures will be necessary before the new tariffs aimed at increasing diesel use can reap any meaningful benefits for the island.
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