FG Specifies Acceptable Levels of Sulphur in Petroleum Fuels

Bennett Oghifo

The federal government has specified the level of sulphur that would henceforth be acceptable in petroleum fuels used in the country.

A statement yesterday by the Director-General/CEO, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Mr. Aminu Jalal, on ‘new Nigerian Standards on Petroleum Fuels,’ said: “The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), after due consultations with relevant stakeholders, have therefore reduced the maximum allowed levels of sulphur in petroleum fuels in Nigeria.

“From July 1, 2017, diesel should have maximum sulphur levels of 50 parts per million (ppm) (Reference NIS 948:2017); from July 1, 2017, petrol should have maximum Sulphur levels of 150 ppm (Reference NIS 116:2017); and from July 1, 2017, Household Kerosine (HHK) should have maximum Sulphur levels of 150 ppm (Reference NIS 949:2017).

Sulphur in petroleum fuels results in vehicle exhaust emissions that have negative health and environmental impacts. Harmful emission reducing technologies in vehicles also require low sulphur fuels to be effective.

Petroleum fuels that have high sulphur levels generate directly high emission levels in automotive engines. Such vehicle emissions contain high level of toxic pollutants such as benzenes and particulates that have negative impacts on human health and on the environment. Technically, modern vehicles require fuels that meet high quality standards for a more efficient operation of their engines.