Hazardous fuel additive raises its head

Ford's Stuart Rayner says the use of MMT could damage modern engines and void the manufacturer's warranty. Image: Ford

Despite the Department of Energy sticking to its position last week that manganese compound MMT should be available for use in petrol from 2017‚ it is not part of draft product specifications the South African Bureau of Standards has prepared.

Instead‚ the draft‚ prepared with advice from vehicle manufacturers and the South African Petroleum Industry Association‚ allows sugar-and sorghum-based bioethanol‚ which performs the same octane-enhancing role as MMT.

The department is driving an industrial strategy to encourage the production of bioethanol and biodiesel‚ which it believes could create at least 30‚000 jobs and make a significant contribution to South Africa's pursuit of sustainable energy.

Despite this‚ the department last week supported use of both MMT and biofuels as additives.

Stuart Rayner‚ Principal Engineer at Ford Southern Africa and head of the fuels and emissions technical committee of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa)‚ said: "We are crossing our fingers that the draft goes through its various stages in its present form."

MMT could damage modern engines

If it is amended and MMT is reinstated as an option‚ sources say that motor companies might retaliate by declaring the use of MMT petrol a violation of vehicle warranties. Owners would then have to pay the cost of related engine damage.

Biofuels and MMT (full name methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl) both increase octane ratings‚ thereby improving the performance of modern vehicle engines.

MMT was previously included in local leaded fuels but was barred from unleaded fuel when South Africa's petroleum industry moved to full-scale production of unleaded petrol in 2006.

Toyota President Johan van Zyl warns that leading manufacturers may stop exporting cars to SA if the fuel contains additives that could damage the engines. Image: Imperial Toyota

Two years ago‚ when the department announced plans for a R38bn oil industry investment in cleaner fuels from 2017‚ MMT was still banished. It then suddenly changed its mind and reinstated the compound as an acceptable additive. It said oil companies could use up to 18ml per litre of fuel from 2017.

As Business Day reported recently‚ however‚ that date is now in doubt and it is likely to be 2020 at least before the upgrade is complete.

The MMT about-turn infuriated the South African motor industry‚ which describes the additive as a danger to engines and the environment.

Naamsa director Nico Vermeulen said last week that research proved conclusively that MMT residue caused widespread damage to engines‚ including the clogging of catalytic converters‚ which reduce poisonous exhaust emissions. "There is a wealth of evidence around the world that MMT is a no-no."

MMT is cost-effective additive says Department

But in response to questions last week‚ the department insisted that MMT remained a cost-effective additive. While steering clear of the argument over its negative qualities‚ it said MMT was simply one of several additives‚ such as biofuels‚ potassium and phosphorus‚ that oil companies were allowed to use.

The department has never suggested MMT should be compulsory. However‚ its claim that its use would not undermine South Africa's attempts to meet international vehicle emissions standards has been derided by Rayner.

South African standards are about 20 years behind those of the European Union. The main purpose of the refineries upgrade is to catch up.

Most of the emphasis is on reducing fuel sulphur levels‚ but Rayner said that MMT could not be ignored. In response to the department's contention that its use would not slow emissions progress‚ he argued that the permissible level of MMT in South Africa was nine times higher than in Europe.

"To say we can meet European standards under those circumstances is nonsense‚" Rayner said.

South Africa's backward fuel quality has already persuaded several motor companies to delay bringing their latest-model vehicles to South Africa to avoid exposing their hi-tech engines to damage.

Toyota South Africa President Johan van Zyl said the presence of MMT in fuel would continue that risk. Further‚ it would cause multinationals to question whether they should build modern cars in a market where some could not be used.

It was ridiculous for the government to encourage consumers to buy "green" cars through an emissions tax but also prevent the cars from coming in.

The availability of biofuel additives appears to have placated oil companies‚ which had previously said they wanted to use MMT. While most of the companies were implacably opposed‚ Petro SA‚ Engen and Chevron (Caltex) are said to have favoured it.