MMT alarms motor multinationals

The possible reintroduction of a manganese additive into SA petrol will undo some of the benefits of a R38bn investment in low-sulphur fuels, warns the motor industry.

The department of energy (DoE) has been accused of bowing to the manganese industry lobby by allowing the use of MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl), a manganese-based compound marketed as an octane-enhancing fuel additive for petrol.

Since 2006, when the SA petroleum industry shifted to full-scale production of unleaded petrol, MMT has been used only as an additive in lead-replacement petrol for older vehicles.

However, engineers say it damages modern engines by clogging up fine-mesh catalytic converters that reduce pollutant emissions. Because most of the manganese remains in the engine and exhaust system, its combustion products coat engine components, causing misfires, increased emissions and increased fuel consumption.

Commended

The DoE was commended recently by the motor industry after it gazetted its clean-fuels strategy, which will result in the petroleum industry investing R38bn between now and 2017 to produce low-sulphur fuels.

Sulphur, arguably the most dangerous engine pollutant, is measured in parts per million (ppm). Most SA diesel contains 500ppm, though 50ppm is available in some areas. Most petrol contains 300ppm. We are at least two generations behind most developed countries, where 10ppm for all fuels is the norm and there is already a shift towards 5ppm.

Rubbing salt into the wound

As a result, the world's cleanest-burning engines are unable to come to SA because of the damage that would be caused to them by SA's dirty fuels. To rub salt into the wound, in the past two years government has introduced tax penalties on vehicles that don't meet stringent emissions standards - even though its own policies prevent the very cleanest from coming in.

Though it has been lobbying the DoE for years to speed up the introduction of clean fuels, the motor industry welcomed the recent gazetting for finally giving a clear path. The 2017 strategy will also allow oil companies to import more clean fuels while they build their own capacity.

But barely had the applause died than the DoE withdrew the original gazetting and introduced another - this time allowing the use of up to 18ml of MMT in each litre of petrol.

An 'error of omission'?

The local motor and petroleum industries both say the amendment was unexpected. The DoE says the original gazetting, without reference to MMT, was an "error of omission" and that industry was well aware of the MMT issue.

Government officials recently spoke of the need for local manganese beneficiation. The DoE denies changing its mind because of manganese lobbying. In a statement to the FM, the department says: "MMT, like all the elements of the specifications and standards, was discussed during consultations with stakeholders." It says the motor industry failed to "demonstrate that the use of MMT would undo benefits of sulphur reduction".

Fani Tshifularo, executive director of the SA Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia) - whose members include Engen, Total, Caltex, Shell, BP and Sasol - says there is no concerted industry view on MMT. Because its use is not compulsory, each company will make up its own mind.

No excuse for using MMT

However, Stuart Rayner, principal engineer at Ford Southern Africa and head of the fuels & emissions technical committee of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA, says there is no excuse for using MMT.

The rapidly declining number of old SA vehicles still using fuel with metal additives has persuaded fuel companies to remove "leaded" pumps from many of their fuel stations. Rayner says: "The number of cars that still take lead-replacement petrol is very small. In any case, they can buy bottled additives on the forecourt. There's no need to put it in the actual fuel."

He says multinational motor companies will be alarmed by the prospect of MMT in SA fuels. "It will make it hard for them to introduce their latest technologies to SA."

Source: Financial Mail via I-Net Bridge