In the world of commercial fuel, quality is everything. Poor-quality or adulterated diesel leads to severe engine damage, safety hazards, and inflated operational costs. At Petroleumfix, our fuel laboratory provides fast, SANS-aligned testing services that verify whether your diesel and petrol meet strict industry standards.
Basic Diesel Test Package (R450.00)
Our foundational Basic Diesel Test evaluates four vital physical and safety parameters:
1. Flashpoint (Min 55°C)
Reveals the lowest temperature at which fuel vapours ignite. A flashpoint below 55°C indicates dangerous contamination with petrol or light solvents.
2. Kinematic Viscosity (2.0 – 5.3 cSt)
Measures resistance to flow. Out-of-range viscosity causes poor spray atomization, reduced lubricity, and accelerated injector pump wear.
3. Density (820 – 845 kg/m³)
Determines energy content per liter. Low density flags dilution with lighter fuels such as illuminating paraffin (IP).
4. Visual Assessment
Examines fuel clarity, colour, free water, suspended haze, and visible particulate sediment.
Specialized & Advanced Diesel Tests
For comprehensive compliance verification and forensics, we offer individual and bundled analytical tests:
- Sulphur Content Test (R500.00): Verifies compliance with low-sulphur (50 ppm / 0.005%) and ultra-low-sulphur (10 ppm) standards, preventing acid corrosion and emissions penalties.
- Distillation Curve Test (R450.00): Profiles evaporation across the boiling range to pinpoint heavy oil contamination or paraffin blending.
- Water Content Test (R500.00): Quantifies suspended moisture to ensure water remains strictly below the SANS 350 ppm threshold.
The 4 Risks of Illuminating Paraffin (IP) Adulteration
Unscrupulous suppliers sometimes blend tax-exempt illuminating paraffin into automotive diesel. Using IP-adulterated diesel causes:
- Severe Engine & Pump Wear: Paraffin lacks the viscosity and lubricity required to protect high-pressure diesel injection systems.
- Elevated Fuel Consumption: Lower energy density forces engines to burn significantly more fuel for the same power output.
- Flashpoint & Fire Hazards: Reduced flashpoint increases storage and handling ignition risks.
- Regulatory & Warranty Penalties: Non-compliant sulphur and chemical markers void OEM engine warranties and trigger legal liabilities.