These rumors and the considerable price of A-95 gasoline are a good incentive for many to switch to cheaper A-92. But how is the quality of this gasoline, especially in the eastern regions of the country, where there is traditionally more counterfeit? The Institute of Consumer Expertise decided to investigate this issue by conducting a check of A-92 gasoline. In total, experts selected ten samples, after which the samples were sent to an accredited laboratory.
The inspectors' "focus" included both large gas station chains (WOG, Parallel, BRSM-Nafta, Avias, Sun Oil, KLO, Marshall) and local chains (LUXWEN, Impulse). The analysts' results were disappointing, since 30% of off-spec gasoline is too much even for our country.
Octane number
First of all, they checked the indicator that characterizes the fuel's resistance to detonation – premature combustion of gasoline in the combustion chamber. Detonation is harmful to the engine not only due to increased fuel consumption and reduced power, but also due to premature engine wear from excessive loads. The octane number was measured by the motor method, in which the installation (a single-cylinder engine with a variable compression ratio) simulates the load on a real engine. According to this method, the standard is set at 82.5 units (which is practically analogous to the usual number 92 by the research method, which we see at gas stations). The results revealed two non-compliances with the standards – the octane number of gasoline at the Avias chain was 81.9 units with a standard of at least 82.5. The second violator is the Impulse gas station, with "fantastic" figures – 79.3 units!!! Experts were sure that such blatant "adulteration" had already stopped, but apparently, this is far from the case. On the other side of the scale are samples that not only met the standard but also demonstrated a considerable "reserve." BRSM-Nafta (84.8 units) sells practically "ninety-fifth," and Parallel and Parallel Perfekt (84.2 and 84.3 units) – "ninety-fourth."
Benzene and aromatics
Benzene corrodes the fuel system and leads to its premature wear. The results for benzene and aromatic hydrocarbon content differed. In particular, harmful benzene was found in the smallest amounts in the BRSM-Nafta (0.52%) and WOG (0.54%) samples. But the Impulse gas station sample distinguished itself here too – benzene in this chain's fuel turned out to be one and a half times more than the boundary standards of DSTU allow. As for the volumetric fraction of aromatic hydrocarbons, the lowest indicators were in the BRSM-Nafta and KLO samples, while the rest also met the standard.
Sulfur
If there is too much of it in the fuel, it leads to the formation of carbon deposits, contamination of fuel injectors, and "kills" catalysts. Moreover, the exhaust becomes "dirtier," and very dangerous oxides enter the air we breathe. Except for the Marshall sample, where a slight excess of the boundary value was recorded, all the tested "ninety-second" gasoline met Euro-4 standards, and this is a very good result. Moreover, the BRSM-Nafta, Parallel, and WOG samples were in the "top league" for sulfur content – the values correspond to Euro-5 standards.
Ethanol
The study of the chemical composition of gasoline again added a fly in the ointment – the gasoline purchased at the Impulse and Marshall gas stations consisted of ten percent ethanol, while the maximum allowed value is no more than 5.
Conclusions
Overall, the study showed that, contrary to experts' expectations, the quality of "ninety-second" gasoline "fluctuates." Large chains (WOG, BRSM-Nafta, Parallel, and other leaders of the fuel market) do not skimp and buy quality resources of Ukrainian and Belarusian production. Yes, yes, there is no mistake – it is Ukrainian production! The Shebelinka refinery, after modernization, pleases with excellent indicators of its fuel. Now our A-92 is present in chains along with imported fuel (for example, in the Parallel chain) and shows excellent results. But in small chains, "off-spec" slips through, and motorists should think twice before saving in this way.
Vadim Krivenko
