FUEL ANTI-ADULTERATION MEASURES - AN OVERVIEW

Fuel adulteration is a big menace in India. It not only affects the engine components but also hampers the country economy. The main driving force for this malpractice is the difference in the pricing of various hydrocarbon products. Till recently, PDS kerosene was used in a big way to adulterate petrol and diesel. However, with the opening up of the economy many other streams and side products are readily available, which are frequently being used as adulterants for prime fuels.

Oil industry as well as Government of India has taken various measures to curb this menace and the present paper gives an overview on different measures taken to put an end to the adulteration of prime fuel with other streams. Further, in a significant move to curb adulteration of petrol and diesel, Marker Systems is being used that promises to stamp out the problems of adulteration. The present paper also covers the methodology of selection of the marker systems for fuels, detailed testing and their field trials.