Diesel Fuel Quality Assessment – Case Study of Tarkwa, Ghana*

Abstract

This paper considered the quality of diesel fuel used in Tarkwa and its impact on health and the environment when used in mining operations and other commercial purposes. A total of 25 diesel fuel samples were sampled from selected fuel farms and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in Tarkwa over a period of eleven (11) months. These samples were tested to check their quality and compared their conformance with Ghana Standard Authority (GSA) diesel fuel requirement (GS 141: 2022, 5th Edition). Test parameters such as density, viscosity, flash point, water content, total sulphur, total contamination, cetane index and distillation via ASTM and ISO methods were employed to check the quality of diesel fuel used in Tarkwa. The results showed that all 25 samples passed the tests for density, total sulphur, viscosity, cetane index, and distillation conforming to the GS 141:2022. With regards to flashpoint, 8% of diesel samples failed the tests, 4% failed the water content and 32% failed the total contamination tests which is not required in the GS 141:2022. In general, the quality of diesel fuel assessed indicated that diesel fuel used in Tarkwa is good especially those supplied for mining operations.