New Delhi, India: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have conducted additional nationwide testing of E20 petrol following recent reports concerning moisture and chloride contamination. The testing found chloride levels within prescribed limits across the supply chain, while claims of chloride concentrations as high as 500 ppm were not validated.
The additional checks covered refineries, ethanol distilleries, fuel depots, terminals and retail outlets. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, more than 100 randomly selected petrol samples from various refineries recorded chloride levels of 1 ppm or below.
Testing of ethanol supplied by distilleries also found chloride concentrations below the prescribed specification. A task force comprising representatives of OMCs and the Central Institute of Chemical Technology (CHT) tested samples from 80 distilleries across the country over the previous 10 days, with all samples showing chloride content of less than 3 ppm.
At depots and terminals, more than 80 samples collected from different OMC terminals showed chloride levels below 3 ppm. The companies have also intensified monitoring at retail outlets.
Under the enhanced programme covering more than 1,000 retail outlets, 160 test reports had been analysed for chloride content in the previous few days. Most readings were in the 0-3 ppm range. The surveillance identified four isolated cases of elevated chloride levels, after which the affected supplies were suspended pending root-cause analysis and corrective measures.
OMCs have additionally introduced water-ingress and density checks 8-12 times a day at every retail outlet. Mobile fuel-quality testing laboratories have been deployed at different locations for independent verification.
Around 90,000 retail outlets have begun mandatory inspection and monitoring of underground storage tanks. These tanks are being checked 8-12 times daily, with no water ingress detected so far, according to the ministry.
The ministry said the latest testing supports the conclusion that E20 petrol supplied through the OMC network continues to meet prescribed quality specifications.
Source: This article is based on an official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India
Press Release Page | Press Information Bureau
