Vecto iss2 eng

The official publication of Vecto Petroleum

Vol. 1 Issue 2: February 2014

: IDE INS ENT EV EFT PR TH L SE DIE G 24 P

Vecto on the Silver Screen Pad Na Jou Hart Your Partner in Success VECTO April 2013

1

Footprints By: Xandre Strydom

“I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This well-known part of John 14:6 made me think this holiday. Jesus’ very simple, chronological style of teaching, masterfully laid down as a blueprint to raise the Church to maturity.

To discover Christ is to reach the most valuable treasure that can exist (the WAY), to receive inspiration only from Him (the Truth) ensures life, and LIFE in ABUNDANCE (the Life).

Let us look at the same strategy in John 8:31-32, albeit in different words: “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him (the Way), “If you abide in my word (the Truth), you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (the Life).” An excellent plan to ensure that you grow from glory to glory. The difficult thing of the times in which we live is that the gospel has lost its beauty and has become too complex due to the contamination of opinions and arguments rather than purely and simply Christ! The full weight of the Cross was to grant you a new life and to give it to you in abundance… A new love that would cause you to leave everything, because where He is, is where you want to be (the Way), to sit at His feet and to learn (the Truth) and to let the great treasure of God shine in you (the Life).

A last one: Luke 6:47-48, “Everyone who comes to me (the Way) and hears my words (the Truth) and does them (the Life), I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” Plans are drawn up for a house, and the foundation is the most important. It determines the standard of the entire house. When Jesus’ body tore as the veil, the rock of Christ was revealed and it is now possible to build upon Him rather than the soil that kept Him covered all the years before the Cross…

While the waves broke over my feet this holiday and I felt myself sinking into the sand, it took my thoughts back to the nostalgia of the “Footprints” bookmark that I kept in my Bible as a child… Suddenly God spoke to me: “When you saw one row of footprints in the sand it was not because you were tired and I carried you… but rather that I lifted you with eagle wings. I picked you up on my shoulders and taught you not to build your house on sand… because you are my Son! Only the best for you”.

EDITORIAL:

Editor-in-Chief – Corné Liebenberg Managing Editor – Fiona Mosca Creative Director – Gwynedd Peters

FEATURE ARTICLES

PUBLISHERS: Main Angel Publishing 462 Grysbok Street, Waterkloof Ridge Tel: 012 347 3630 Fax: 086 242 0031 e-mail: info@mainangel.co.za

16

Breakthrough Technology:

20

Determining the Basic Fuel Price:

24

Fuel Theft:

IMAGES: Shutterstock, MediaClubSouthAfrica.com; Stock Xchange, Vecto Petroleum, iStock.

28

Black Smoke:

30

A Closer Look:

32

The Full Spectrum:

All editorial, business and production correspondence should be addressed to Main Angel Publishing: PO Box 4708, Rietvalleirand, 0174.

Unless otherwise agreed to, all contributions are the property of Vecto Magazine, and its publishers.

The editor and publisher reserve the right to alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary.

The opinions expressed in Vecto Magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers or Vecto Petroleum, its suppliers, subsidiaries or affiliates. © Copyright Main Angel Publishing. All rights reserved.

Advances in diesel combustion results in cleaner engines The underlying principles for determining the Basic Fuels Price (BFP) Can it be defeated?

Cause, impact and prevention Inside the cylinder of a diesel engine Internal diesel injector deposits

VECTO NEWS

4

The Editor

6

Meet our agents

7

Client Testimonial

15

Who is Vecto Bulk?

35

Nuwe produk

A word from our editor Stefan Bothma - Lichtenburg Thanking the Vecto team Vecto Petroleum’s BEE Partner Sasol turbodiesel TM ULS 10ppm

OUT AND ABOUT

8

Vecto’s Big Screen Debut:

10

Vecto turns 1

12

Vecto loves RUGBY

14

Depots and vehicles

Coming soon to a theatre near you… PAD NA JOU HART A closer look at the birthday celebrations.

Vecto supports the Boks against Samoa Vecto’s latest depots and vehicles

The Editor

Vecto’s real CEO and the one from the movie (Pad na jou Hart) Dear clients, future clients and friends…

At the beginning of the new year it is a privilege to stand in absolute amazement and look back at what Vecto has achieved in only a few months. The road to here (and we will talk a lot more about other roads) cannot be described as anything but a miracle. To be one of the biggest wholesalers in the country after only a year, one of the few, if not the only one, to have a constant source of 50ppm diesel, to supply exclusively to our country’s biggest cooperative, and then to roll out a number of initiatives that are all “firsts in SA”, makes one truly proud, but then one must also give glory to Him where it is due.

Apart from what can only be described as supernatural, nothing would have been possible without the most phenomenal team; everyone, from the person who serves the tea to our most experienced agent, is a master of his craft. The harmony, cohesion and willingness to go the extra mile for our clients have forged the Vecto team into a formidable unit.

In addition to Vecto’s existing offices, we now also have space in AFGRI’s building, which will facilitate service delivery, since all Vecto’s 50ppm is bought from GROVAT, a division of the AFGRI group. Since our last magazine and our pronouncements on chancers who mix diesel with paraffin, a number of culprits have been caught and exposed, and in this way we have saved the government a lot of money. It is likely

4

VECTO February 2014

From the Editor

the reason for our success, because honesty and integrity are two of Vecto’s core values. We continue to test almost every load and still find more “dirty” than clean diesel; remain on your guard and test regularly if you do not buy from Vecto at present. (Please feel free to send an email to lourens@ vecto.co.za for a free test system.)

The few cents that can be saved elsewhere at a “cheap” supplier will disappear quickly if a John Deere tractor breaks down and the manufacturer tells you that the warranty will not cover repairs since dirty diesel was found inside.

Further on in the magazine you will find informative articles about breakthroughs in cleaner engines, how the fuel price is determined (p 20), what black smoke means (p 28), how theft can be combatted (p 24) (for invaluable tips please talk to our director, Ferdie, personally, we cannot publish all the secrets), and much more. Also look at our map on p 32, our coverage of the country means that fleet owners can fill up with diesel almost anywhere at our lower rates with our unique “tag” system, and electronic payments are made automatically.

The greatest news by far deals with a road, not just any road, but the road to your heart: “Die Pad na jou Hart”. The movie, regarded by many experts as having the potential to become one of the greatest Afrikaans movies ever, deals with a young man who works with his father for Vecto Petroleum.

When his father suddenly dies, the son has to complete a number of challenges successfully before he can inherit Vecto.

The road takes him across South Africa, resulting in a good advertisement for our beautiful country. At the same time he learns a lot of important lessons in life – the lessons are so good that some schools are even going to incorporate the script into their curriculum. Many of you would have received the magazine during the première of the movie, but for the rest I hope you get to see it somewhere. If your town doesn’t have a movie theatre, we may be able to arrange for the movie to be screened in the school hall of even on the rugby field, and the actors would most likely accompany us. For the rest of you, hang in there, we’ll give you the DVD later this year.

May 2014 exceed all your wildest expectations by far!

VECTO February 2014

5

Meet our agents...

Stefan Bothma - Lichtenburg Contact details:

Stefan Bothma Cell: 082 443 5756 Email:stefan@laeveld.co.za

“Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

Stefan Bothma has been part of the Laeveld Agrochem team since 1993. He was the warehouse manager in Nelspruit during 2010, after which he decided to establish himself in Lichtenburg.

His passion for Agricultural Chemistry and excellent customer service has steered him towards greater opportunities, which have allowed him to supply farmers with more than just poison.

Stefan joined forces with Vecto Petroleum in 2013 to establish a Vecto depot in Lichtenburg. Due to the fact that the provision of clean high quality diesel is of the utmost importance to our clients, diesel sales in the area experienced rapid growth.

During 2013 Laeveld Lichtenburg expanded even more by adding fertiliser and veterinary products to its list of offerings.

Stefan is always prepared to market new products and is certainly not afraid of taking on new challenges. To this end, the success story of Laeveld Lichtenburg continues every day, thanks to our Heavenly Father who leads him and his team in Lichtenburg.

“It is my passion to make a difference in each of my clients’ lives by doing everything within my power to make the daily tasks of farming easier. Through faith, hope and love, I am able to provide my customers with peace of mind, ensuring that they always leave with a smile on their face”, says Stefan.

6

VECTO February 2014

Customer testimonial

A message of thanks to the Vecto team I want to share with you the effort that Ferdie went to today on my behalf. He had a problem with his vehicle and couldn’t drive. He could have cancelled the appointment easily, but he flew here and rented a vehicle to drive to Sappi. I was really touched when I heard this. I have never experienced anything like this! You guys are great and motivate one to give 110%.

One wants to boast about you, and it is a pleasure to be a part of the team.

I also want to mention Ehrus’s assistance yesterday, when Ferdie couldn’t make the appointment. He and Gary were so helpful and patient with all the questions. They gave a lot of input and suggestions. This type of support is really encouraging!

Above: Ferdie Potgieter; Director Vecto Petroleum.

Please feel free to share this with them, but I wanted to bring it to your attention because I believe that you don’t always hear about things like this.

Kind regards Steyn

Service of the highest order!

Vecto recently became our fuel supplier ofchoice, and thus far the experience has been one of the most outstanding we’ve ever enjoyed industry.

In a time when so many companies are not too concerned by customer service, Vecto service has far exceeded our expectations.

Vecto does everything it claims with a smile. We are extremely pleased with the service we have received thus far, and believe their reliability and consistent service will continue for many years will continue.

Above: Walter Gillfilan en Ronnie Visser of Vecto Louis Trichardt

MACTRANSCO

VECTO February 2014

7

Vecto makes its big screen debut Coming soon to a cinema near you... PAD NA JOU HART Early in 2014 Vecto Petroleum will be making its big screen debut as the company features prominently in Pad na jou Hart, the first Afrikaans romantic adventure film, opening in cinemas countrywide on 14 February

2014.

More about the film Pad na jou Hart was written by Ivan Botha and Donnalee Roberts.

The movie was produced by Danie Bester (The Film Factory), Ivan Botha and Donnalee Roberts (Memory Box Productions) and directed by the acclaimed Jaco Smit.

The film stars Ivan Botha (Bakgat, 7de Laan) and Donnalee Roberts (Klein Karoo, 7de Laan), as well as other well-known names such as Marius Weyers.

Pad na jou Hart was filmed over 3 300km across South Africa. The film starts in Sandton, Johannesburg, after which the characters travel to the Golden Gate Nature Reserve near Clarens, drive over Vanderkloof Dam, spend a night in the heart of the Groot Karoo, stopover in Wilderness and end in Cape Town.

Photos: (Left above) Theatrical poster, (left) Sarie magazine article about Pad na my hart. (Right) Various photos of the Vecto Petroleum/Pad na my hart “roadshow�.

8

VECTO February 2014

Out and about

Flying the Vecto colours

The Vecto cycling team at Sani2C John Smit riding in Vecto colours.

VECTO February 2014

9

Vecto Turns 1!

On 3 October 2013 Vecto Petroleum celebrated its first birthday in style with a “Gatsby” themed event which is sure to be remembered fondly by all who attended for many years to come.

Some 250 invited guests, including customers, suppliers, members of staff, family and friends were treated to spectacular entertainment, auctions and a mouth-watering feast.

An absolutely fantastic time was had by all who attended and we can’t wait to welcome everyone once again for our next birthday bash.

10

VECTO February 2014

Gatsby Spectacular

Out and about

VECTO February 2014

11

Vecto loves RUGBY! During 2013 Vecto hosted two rugby days where clients, agents and staff gathered to support the Springboks in absolute STYLE! Kitted out in Vecto Caps, apparel and other merchandise, we travelled to Nelspruit and then to Loftus where we got to witness our home team prevail as the winners at both clashes. What an awesome experience for everyone to get to know each other and for us at Vecto to show that we know how to host the best events. We are definitely looking forward to the next Vecto rugby day.

12

VECTO February 2014

Page Description Flag

SA vs. SAMOA and SCOTTLAND

VECTO February 2014

13

Vecto News

Cato Ridge

Lothair

New depots and ...

New vehicles.

New portable tank in Bethal

Lichtenburg

Olifantsfontein

14

VECTO February 2014

New tankers big and small

About Vecto

Who is Vecto Bulk?

Vecto Petroleum is a privately-owned company which operates under fuel licensing of its partner company Vecto Bulk (Pty) Ltd. Vecto Bulk contracts all business functions such as marketing, logistics, financing, procurement and orders to Vecto Petroleum.

Above: Pumsile Monsomi - Vecto Bulk shareholder.

VECTO February 2014

15

TECHNOLOGY BREAKTHROUGH: Advances in diesel combustion results in cleaner engines

16

VECTO February 2014

New technology

As demand climbs for more fuel-efficient vehicles, knowledge compiled over several years about diesel engines and a new strategy known as “low-temperature combustion” (LTC) might soon lead auto manufacturers and consumers to broader use of cleaner diesel engines.

The contribution of fuel emissions (diesel and petrol) to greenhouse gases and global climate change has become a leading reason for concern across the globe. While diesel engines are more efficient than petrol-powered engines, they tend to have serious emissions problems. However, recent breakthroughs in diesel combustion technology may soon lead to cleaner diesel engines.

Above: Sandia researcher John Dec holds a specialised optical piston used in engine research at the Sandia Combustion Research Facility.

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in the United States have developed a new strategy, known as ‘low-temperature combustion’ (LTC). When conventional diesel engines undergo combustion, smoky particulate matter (PM) forms in regions where fuel concentrations are too high. In addition, nitrogen oxides (NOx) arise from a high-temperature flame inside the engine. NOx emissions are both toxic and, once released into the atmosphere and exposed to sunlight, react with other pollutants to create ground-level smog, known as ozone. LTC works to reduce NOx emissions by recirculating some of the exhaust gases back inside the diesel engine, where they absorb the heat from combustion.

Another part of the LTC strategy is to spray fuel into the engine cycle earlier to give the fuel more time to mix with air before it burns. This avoids the high temperatures that lead to NOx and the fuel-rich regions that lead to PM. VECTO February 2014

17

Above: Sandia researcher Isaac Ekoto (left) and former post-doctoral researcher Will Colban prepare to conduct laser-based velocity measurements at the Sandia Combustion Research Facility. The measurements are used to help understand the flow features involved in the creation of in-cylinder CO distributions in automotive diesel engines.

Despite reductions in NOx and PM emissions, the LTC strategy still releases carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (UHC), which are both toxic and result in a loss of fuel efficiency. However, the Combustion Research Facility (CRF) research team in California was able to use a new optical diagnostic technique to identify the sources of these emissions.

Using a laser-induced fluorescence of other markers of combustion, such as formaldehyde and hydroxyl, researchers were able to observe and understand the chemical processes that result in UHC. The measurements showed that the fuel was not burned to completion due to an over-mixing of fuel near the fuel injector, leading to CO and UHC in the exhaust.

This finding allowed combustion researcher, Mark Musculus, and post-doctoral researcher Jaqueline O’Connor to discover a way to increase fuel concentration. By adding postinjections, which added more fuel in the right area, the zone of complete combustion extends over a larger region, resulting in lower UHC and CO emissions while increasing efficiency by making sure less fuel is wasted.

According to Musculus, “When long-haul truck drivers are burning thousands of gallons per year... or when consumers are faced with high fuel prices, a more efficient engine becomes very important”. “This is the kind of scientific research and data that engine designers, who help to guide our research, tell us they need so that they can build the kind of fuelefficient diesel engines that consumers will want,” he said.

The Sandia work was completed for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).

18

VECTO February 2014

Page Description Flag

VECTO February 2014

19

Determining the basic fuel price The underlying principles for determining the Basic Fuels Price (BFP) are to represent the realistic, market-related costs of importing a portion of South Africa’s liquid fuels requirements.

Such supplies are sourced from overseas refining centres capable of meeting South Africa’s requirements in terms of both product quality and sustained supply.

The petrol price in South Africa is directly linked to the price of petrol quoted in US Dollars at refined petroleum export refining centres in the Mediterranean, the Arab Gulf and Singapore.

The domestic prices of fuels are influenced by international crude oil prices, international supply and demand balances for petroleum products and the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate.

The import parity (BFP) principle is a method of basic fuels price determination to ensure that local refineries compete with their international counterparts.

This promotes cost efficiency and astute crude acquisition strategies to ensure survival in a volatile and competitive international environment, eliminating domestic inflationary pressures.

International influence on the domestic prices of fuel Free-on Board (FOB) Values Petroleum product prices quoted on a daily basis by export orientated refining centres situated in the Mediterranean, the Arab Gulf and Singapore.

Freight The cost to transport refined petroleum products to South African ports. The freight rates are based on rates published by London Tanker Brokers Panel on 1 January each year and adjusted on a monthly basis in line with the Average Freight Rate 20

VECTO February 2014

Fuel price Assessment (AFRA) which is a function of risks and supply and demand of ships transporting refined petroleum products internationally.

Demurrage Demurrage rates are published by the World Scale Association Limited. In calculating the demurrage cost, the total demurrage time is limited to 3 days.

Insurance An element of 0.15% of the FOB-value and freight is to cover insurance and other costs such as letters of credit, surveyors’ and agents’ fees and laboratory costs.

Ocean Loss A loss allowance of 0.3% is calculated on the sum of the FOB, Freight and Insurance values for products to provide for uninsurable losses during transportation of fuels.

Cargo Dues (Wharfage) South African harbour facilities are utilised to off-load petroleum products from ships into on-shore storage facilities. The cost to utilise these harbour facilities is based on the tariff set by the National Ports Authority of South Africa.

Coastal Storage This is to recover the cost of providing storage and handling facilities at coastal terminals. The BFP only makes provision for 25 days and the initial value when BFP was implemented amounted to 2.083 c/l. This element is adjusted on an annual basis by the increase in the Producer Price Index (PPI).

Stock Financing Stock financing cost is based on the landed cost values of refined petroleum products, 25 days of stockholding and the ruling prime interest rate less 2%.

The BFP, quoted in USD/barrel or USD/ton is converted to US cents/litre and is then converted to South African cents/litre.

To arrive at the final petrol pump price in the different fuel pricing zones (magisterial district zones), domestic costs, imposts, levies and margins are added to the Basic Fuel Price (BFP).

Did you know?

Over the past 15 years the price of fuel has increased by more than 560%. That is equal to an increase of nearly 14% year after year.

VECTO February 2014

21

Domestic influence on the prices of fuel Inland Transport Costs Refined petroleum products are transported by road, rail, and pipeline from coastal refineries to inland depots.

Wholesale Margin The margin is a fixed maximum monetary margin. The formula used to determine the wholesale margin is based the Marketing-of-Petroleum-Activities Return.

The level of the margin is calculated on an industry average basis and is aimed at granting these marketers a benchmark return of 15% on depreciated book values of assets, with allowance for additional depreciation, but before tax and payment of interest. Should the industry aggregated margin be between 10 and 20%, no adjustment is made, if it is below 10% or above 20%, it is adjusted to a level of 15%.

Retail Profit Margin The retail profit margin is fixed by the Department of Energy (DoE) and is determined on the basis of the actual costs incurred by the service station operator. All proportionate driveway-related costs such as rental, interest, labour, overheads and entrepreneurial compensation are taken into consideration.

Equalisation Fund The Equalisation Fund levy is a fixed monetary levy, determined by the Minister of Minerals and Energy and the Minister of Finance. The levy income is utilised to equalise fuel prices. The levy is currently zero.

Fuel Tax A fuel tax levied on petrol and diesel determined by the Minister of Finance.

Customs and Excise A levy collected by the Southern African Customs Union.

Road Accidents Fund A Road Accidents Fund levy, applicable on petrol and diesel, determined by the Minister of Finance.

Slate The Basic Fuels Price (BFP) of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin is calculated on a daily basis; this is either higher or 22

VECTO February 2014

Fuel price

lower than the BFP reflected in the fuel price structures at that time. If the daily BFP is higher than the BFP, a unit under-recovery is realised on that day. When the daily BFP is lower than the BFP, an over-recovery is realised on that day.

These calculations are done on a daily basis in the fuel price review period and an average is calculated. This monthly unit is multiplied by the volumes sold locally and the cumulative over-under-recovery is recorded on a Cumulative over/ under-recovery account (referred to as the “Slate Account”).

A Slate levy is applicable on fuels to finance the balance in the Slate account when the Slate is in a negative balance.

Demand Side Management Levy (DSML) on 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) A DSML is applicable on 95 ULP consumed in the inland area.

Most vehicles in the inland market do not require 95 ULP and the unnecessary use thereof would result in ‘octane waste’ with negative economic consequences. This levy serves to curtail the demand thereof in the inland area.

IP tracer dye levy To curtail the unlawful mixing of diesel and illuminating paraffin (IP), an IP tracer dye is injected into illuminating paraffin. An IP tracer dye levy was introduced to finance expenses related to the tracer dye.

Petroleum pipelines levy In terms of the Petroleum Pipelines Levies Act, 2004 (Act No. 28 of 2004) a levy of 0.19 c/l was implemented into the price structures of petrol and diesel on 7 March 2007.

VECTO February 2014

23

FUEL THEFT: Can it be defeated?

24

VECTO February 2014

Fuel theft Diesel fuel theft is reaching an all-time high within the current economy and it’s claimed that within the road transport industry alone up to 20% of all diesel purchased can be lost due to fuel theft.

While combating fuel theft has been an ongoing challenge for fleet operators for decades, the reasons behind the sudden spike in fuel crime have been widely documented in the media. High prices have made fossil fuel an extremely valuable and much sought-after commodity and theft and fraud of fuel has sky rocketed around the world. Suppliers of fuel management systems and anti-siphoning devices say their phones are ringing non-stop and order books are bursting at the seams.

The thieves, either working alone, in small groups, or as part of well organised crime syndicates, are employing a variety of techniques to get their hands on fuel. These range from fuel card fraud, pumping fuel out of the storage tanks at company depots, making short drops and so on. However, the most common form of theft is siphoning directly from the vehicle’s fuel tank and is perpetrated by the drivers.

As in many reported cases, the driver fills the tank, drives out of the depot and somewhere along the route he will siphon anything between 20 and 50 litres and sell it on.

Drivers will generally steal exactly the same quantity every time making it difficult for management to detect.

It is also a well-known fact that organised syndicates operating along major routes and the major centres are buying small amounts of diesel from a large number of drivers. The syndicates in turn sell the diesel to owner drivers, small operators and farmers who are quite willing buy cheap diesel without asking questions.

If the drivers are not selling to syndicates, there are plenty of individuals out there with diesel powered “bakkies”, tractors and cars also willing to buy “cheap” diesel.

Who Do Diesel Thieves Target?

Did you know?

Diesel theft amounts to 15-20 % of all diesel sold in South Africa.

Diesel thieves target large fuel holdings, wherever those may be. From farms to gas stations to truck stops to construction sites to fleet vehicle parking lots you’ll find fuel thieves VECTO February 2014

25

at work. Sometimes they target the gas tanks on heavy machinery and sometimes onsite fuel tanks. If there are large volumes of diesel fuel stored on your property then you’re at high risk for diesel fuel theft.

Reducing the incidence of theft through fleet management system Fuel management systems are designed to effectively measure and manage the use of fuel within the relevant industries which require fuel to operate. They employ various methods and technologies to monitor and track fuel inventories, fuel purchases and fuel dispensed. This information can then be stored in computerized systems and reports generated with data to inform management practices.

Online fuel management is provided through the use of web portals to provide detailed fuelling data, usually via the back end of an automated fuel management system. This enables consumption control, cost analysis and tax accounting for fuel purchases.

The following tips are suggested as a starting point to implementing a fuel management system into the fleet.

•

Fuel bowsers must be included in the total fuel management system. Bowsers must be kept clean and fuel quality has to be checked after every drop.

•

While dip sticks are still common, more accurate electronic probes are available that not only check fuel levels but also check for contaminants such as paraffin and water.

•

Management must be able to measure what goes into the bowser, equate it to what’s going out of the pump and ensure that what goes out of the pump is going into the vehicle.

•

The vehicle fuel intake and consumption should be monitored on an ongoing basis.

•

The best way to ensure minimal theft is to remove the human element as far as possible.

Did you know?

Vecto Petroleum specialises in the prevention of diesel theft and wastage.

26

VECTO February 2014

Page Description Flag

FOLLOW YOUR FLEET

with a customisable web-based GPS tracking systems

Vecto Petroleum has partnered with Asset Data Lynx to bring our clients a variety of fleet management systems aimed at safeguarding, managing and tracking their most valuable assets and resources.

The Fleet Management Solution (FMS) and the more affordable Vehicle Tracking Solution (VTS) are both customisable web-based GPS systems, providing businesses tools to better manage their fleets.

Viable, low-cost, portable, self-powered, real-time tracker.

Benefits • Maximise fleet usefulness • Reduce overall fuel and fleet costs • Deter theft • Monitor driving habits • Improve driver efficiency • Obtain essential information • Efficiently manage equipment • Increase dispatching capabilities • Contact Vecto for a free “live” demonstration.

00 - April 2013 VECTO

www.vecto.co.za

VECTO VALUEADDED PRODUCT VECTO April 2013 - 00 VECTO February 2014 27

BLACK SMOKE: Cause, impact, and prevention

We have all seen clouds of black smoke pluming from the exhaust stacks of heavy duty diesel trucks, especially when the truck is under high load or hard acceleration. The black smoke is composed primarily of elemental carbon from incomplete combustion of diesel fuel and traces of engine lubricant. The exhaust of a typical diesel engine contains elemental carbon (soot), semi-volatile organic hydrocarbons, sulphates (primarily sulphuric acid), and water vapour. Elemental carbon, which is black, is formed for a wide range of reasons when the diesel fuel charge in the combustion cylinder is incompletely combusted. Incomplete combustion occurs and soot is formed when there is an overabundance of fuel (both diesel fuel and lube oil), insufficient residence time in the combustion zone, and/or non-availability of sufficient oxidants.

Over-fuelling is the primary cause of black smoke emissions from the exhaust of a heavy duty diesel engine. Over-fuelling can be caused by diesel fuel injector wear that enlarges the nozzle hole or erodes the injector needle and allows excess fuel to flow into the combustion chamber. In many cases, the nozzle and needle wear is due to corrosion from contaminated or high sulphur diesel fuel. Diesel engines are not designed to efficiently burn excess fuel so much of the fuel is wasted and exits the engine 28

VECTO February 2014

Black smoke

only partially combusted. Nozzle and needle wear can increase particulate emissions (PM) by as much as 85%.

Dirty air-filters that do not allow sufficient air (oxidant) into the combustion chamber for complete combustion of the fuel charge contribute to black smoke. It is estimated that dirty air cleaners can increase PM emissions by as much as 40 to 50%.

Excessive oil consumption as a result of worn valves and valve stem seals, worn or stuck/sluggish rings from deposits, and worn cylinder liners contribute to black smoke. Engine wear and deposit can result from using the wrong oil for the application, excessive oil drain intervals, contaminated oil, and failing to maintain the proper oil levels in the engine. Performing regular maintenance with the recommended engine lubricant can minimize wear and deposits. Excessive oil consumption can increase PM by up to 85%.

Regular maintenance and the use of the right oil for the application can prevent premature engine wear and deposits that contribute to black smoke. Fuel injector nozzles may need to be cleaned or replaced. Air cleaners may need to be checked and cleaned or replaced as necessary. Regular preventive maintenance such as regular oil changes and top-ups and using the recommended oil can prevent excessive valve train, ring, and cylinder wear. Using high performance diesel engine oils can control engine deposits that can cause stuck and sluggish rings.

High performance diesel engine oils of the proper volatility can help control excessive oil consumption from volatility.

Left: Hope Michelsen conducts an experiment using laser-based techniques to measure soot in combustors. The work is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences Program.

Above: Michelsen conducts an experiment, funded by Sandia’s Laboratory Directed Research & Development Program, at the Combustion Research Facility. The experiment is part of a project to develop an atmospheric instrument to measure black carbon and brown carbon particles.

VECTO February 2014

29

A closer look: INSIDE YOUR DIESEL ENGINE

Sir Harry Ricardo (26 January 1885 to 18 May 1974) was one of the foremost engine designers and researchers into the internal combustion engine. During the First World War, Ricardo designed significantly improved engines for early British tanks. Between the wars, he researched the physics of internal combustion and the design of combustion chambers.

This work led to the use of octane ratings, stratified charge, and intake swirl (vortex). Ricardo was instrumental in the development of the sleeve valve engine, particularly for aircraft use. His work and research contributed greatly to the highpower aircraft engines of the Second World War. After the war, he continued to develop the Diesel pre-combustion chamber (Comet), originally designed in the 1930s, which made highspeed diesel engines possible.

The following excerpt is from a lecture Harry Ricardo gave to the Royal Society of Arts on 23 November 1931.

I am going to take the rather unconventional course of asking you to accompany me, in imagination, inside the cylinder of a diesel engine. Let us imagine ourselves seated comfortably on the top of the piston, at or near the end of the compression stroke. We are in complete darkness, the atmosphere is a trifle oppressive, for the shade temperature is well over 500 Celsius – almost a dull red heat – and the density of the air is such that the contents of an average sitting-room would weigh about a ton; also it is very draughty, in fact, the draught is such that, in reality, we should be blown off our perch and hurled about like autumn leaves in a gale. Suddenly, above our heads, a valve opens and a rainstorm of fuel begins to descend. I have called it a rainstorm, but the velocity of droplets approaches much 30

VECTO February 2014

Dirty Diesel Insert

more nearly that of rifle bullets than of raindrops.

For a while nothing startling happens, the rain continues to fall, the darkness remains intense. Then suddenly, away to our right perhaps, a brilliant gleam of light appears, moving swiftly and purposefully; in an instant this is followed by a myriad others all around us, some large and some small, until on all sides of us the space is filled with a merry blaze of moving lights; from time to time the smaller lights wink and go out, while the larger ones develop fiery tails like comets; occasionally these strike the walls, but, being surrounded by an envelope of burning vapour, they merely bounce off like drops of water spilt on a red hot plate.

Above: Fuel igniting as it is injected into a diesel cylinder.

Right overhead all is darkness still, the rainstorm continues, and the heat is becoming intense; and now we shall notice that a change is taking place. Many of the smaller lights around us have gone out, but new ones are beginning to appear, more overhead, and to form themselves into definite streams shooting rapidly downwards or outwards from the direction of the injector nozzles.

How exciting this must have been! - Vecto VECTO February 2014

31

Vecto Depot Network Vecto’s significant foot print across South Africa provides for any major fleet owner’s needs.

Diesel News

Sasol turbodieselTM ULS 10ppm During November 2013 Sasol launched its Sasol turbodieselTM ULS 10ppm in the South African market. This is the lowest sulphur content diesel available in South Africa and has advanced detergency and lubricity properties to keep the engine and fuel injection system clean and well protected. It is ideally suited to compliment modern day fuel to enable engines to run efficiently, while producing less harmful exhaust emissions.

Sasol turbodieselTM ULS 10ppm allows latest technology vehicles, fitted with exhaust after-treatment devices, to operate freely in South Africa and will require less regeneration effort to keep such devices in an active state and extend service life.

Through this development South Africa is a step closer to cleaner fuel specifications in line with international standards.

Sasol turbodieselTM ULS 10ppm already complies with the sulphur and cetane requirements.

Benefits of Sasol turbodieselTM ULS 10ppm •

Ultra-low sulphur content

•

Enhanced detergency

•

Improved acceleration

•

Improved fuel economy

Sasol turbodieselTM ULS 10ppm is suitable for all diesel vehicles, from the latest technology to older generation models, with and without turbocharging.

A key part of the Sasol turbodieselTM ULS 10ppm is its advanced detergency, preventing or removing deposit build-up in the engine and fuel system, allowing the engine to operate at optimum efficiency and sustain optimum fuel consumption over time. Continued use will maintain new fuel systems as well as clean up dirty fuel systems.

Sasol is a pioneer in fuels technology and produces products that are high performance, enabling South Africa to benefit increasingly from ever-improving, efficient vehicle engine technology.

Sasol turbodieselTM ULS 10ppm is available at 78 forecourts in Gauteng and Mpumalanga. The product will be selectively rolled-out to the other areas in 2014 and 2015.

34

VECTO February 2014

POWERED BY

LIQUID GOLD

LEADING THE WAY IN ENERGY RESOURCE SOLUTIONS www.vecto.co.za

With you every step of the way...

Your partner in success

VECTO PETROLEUM info@vecto.co.za 째 www.vecto.co.za