Following the commencement of petrol sales by Dangote Refinery on Tuesday, Nigerians have continued to express their views on the appearance of the petrol colour.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
The petroleum product from Dangote Refinery is colourless and transparent, starkly contrasting the typical yellow hue that Nigerians are familiar with. This has led many to question the quality and standard of Dangote Refinery’s petrol.
In this article, Tribune Online highlights five key things to know about the colour of Dangote Refinery petrol.
1. Why It Is Transparent
The transparency and colourlessness of Dangote Refinery’s petrol can be attributed to its high ethanol content. According to an expert, Victor Uzima, petrol can have different colours depending on the additives used. When petrol is as transparent and colourless as that produced by Dangote, it indicates a high level of ethanol.
2. Impact on Engines
The ethanol content in petrol positively impacts vehicle engines by improving efficiency and power. Additionally, it enhances engine longevity and helps eliminate issues previously common with low-quality gasoline.
3. Environmental Effects
It’s well-known that engine emissions, mainly carbon monoxide, pose environmental and health risks. However, Tribune Online learnt that ethanol contains a significant amount of oxygen, reducing the amount of carbon monoxide produced by engines and addressing environmental pollution concerns.
4. How Petrol Colours Are Derived
Petrol colours vary based on the additives used. For instance, when petrol is red, it typically means octane has been added. A slightly green hue indicates a high octane level. Yellow petrol usually signifies the absence of lead, while a transparent colour indicates ethanol has been used.
5. The American Standard
During the official rollout of gasoline from the refinery on Tuesday, the chairman of Dangote Industries Limited was quoted as saying that the quality of the product matches that of the United States of America.
In the United States, petrol is also typically colourless and transparent. However, additives are sometimes used to colour petrol, usually for specific purposes such as identifying fuel types or marking fuel not intended for road use.
