Physicochemical properties of artisanal refined gasoline (ARG) and regular automotive gasoline (RAG) sampled from the Eastern Obolo Creek and Mkpat Enin, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria were investigated. This was to compare the physicochemical properties of the two gasoline samples with each other and their compliance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The finding revealed an antiknock index of RAG (91.15%) and ARG (83.05%), atmospheric distillation of RAG (185°C) and ARG (184°C), Reid vapor pressure of RAG (0.53 kg/cm 3 ) and ARG (0.36 kg/cm 3 ), gravity of RAG (0.771) and ARG (0.683), sulfur content of RAG (0.014%/wt) and ARG (0.02%/wt), while Flash point for RAG were Pensky Martens −25°C, Abel-Pensky −33°C and ARG Pensky Martens −27°C, Abel-Pensky −35.36°C, respectively. The research octane number, motor octane number, Reid vapor pressure, sulfur content, and specific gravity of RAG were (ASTM) compliant while only the final boiling point and sulfur content of ARG were within ASTM range. Based on the findings, the LRG might have been poorly refined or adulterated and could constitute problems in automotive engines if used. However, this crude technology can be upgraded and the gasoline quality improved through alkylation, isomerization, and cyclization. Artisanal refiners should be trained to become proficient with the intent of becoming incorporated into the upstream petroleum sector.

This research investigates alteration in the composition of diesel and engine oil due to their treat ment with 35g of Potassium Alu miniu m Sulphate, (KAl(SO4) 2) for seven days at room temperature. Results reveal that after treatment, the Total Petroleu m Hydrocarbon (TPH) o f diesel increased fro m 7688.38mg/ l to 12505.10mg/l whereas that of engine oil increased fro m 4967.48mg/l to 7700.47mg/l. Th is suggests that within these seven days, the salt was able to alter the composition of the samples by breaking down h igher mo lecular weight hydrocarbon fractions within and above the C40 range to smaller mo lecular weight fractions with in the C6 to C40 range. The TPH of the treated diesel oil was similar to that of kerosene after treat ment and that of the treated engine oil was similar to that of the untreated diesel sample. Ratios calculated fro m fingerprints of the samples such as nC 20 /nC 24 , nC 18 /nC 24 , nC 18 /nC 20 , nC 7 /nC 9 , and ∑K/∑D for the treated diesel samp le (0.76, 0.57, 0.75, 0.16, and 0.84) respectively were slightly similar to that of kerosene (0.65, 0.79, 1.20, 0.5, and 1.08), but different fro m that of the untreated sample whereas ratios like nC 10 /nC 11 , nC 11 /nC 12 , nC 14 /nC 16 , nC 11 /nC 20 and nC 24 /nC 28 for the treated diesel sample (0.53, 0.35, 1.02, 0.67 and 4.44) were similar to that of the untreated diesel sample (0.52, 0.36, 0.92, 0.46 and 5.47). None of the ratios for the treated engine o il sample were similar to either those of the untreated engine oil samp le or those of diesel. Therefore, though the treatment of the samples with 35g of the salt caused alterations in the chemical co mposition of the samples, it d id not totally transform them to the fraction obtained before them during distillation process.

The use of environmentally benign materials as adsorbent for bleaching palm oil has been revitalize due to loss of significant amount of oil associated with commercial bleaching earth. This paper examined the performance of inactivated shell samples from snail, mussel, periwinkle and the corresponding acid activated samples as an alternative bleaching material for palm oil. Effectiveness of the bleaching process was examined by determining critical process parameters such as degree of bleaching (%), adsorbent dosage (%), and oil retention capacity of the adsorbent. Maximum bleaching performance of 98.70%–96.60% for inactivated samples and 97.79%–95.52% for 0.5 M hydrochloric acid activated samples were obtained at low adsorbent dosage of 9.09 wt.%. The weight percentage of residual oil (1.38–20.08 wt.%) in the spent adsorbent was extremely low for all the samples. Inactivated samples could be a better alternative for commercial adsorbent.

Possible effects of the treat ment of d iesel oil with various concentrations of an inorganic salt, PotassiumAluminiu m Sulphate (KA l(SO 4 ) 2 ) were studied at room temperature, with a view to assessing alterations in the total petroleum hydrocarbon of diesel oil. Results obtained revealed that various concentrations of the inorganic salt had different effects on the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) of the samples. The sample treated with 55g of the salt had the lowest TPH concentration of 2255.75mg/l while the sample treated with 35g of the salt had the highest TPH concentration of 12505.10mg/l. Two samples had higher TPH concentration than the untreated sample wh ile five samp les had lower TPH concentrations. This may be ascribed to the fact that some concentrations of the salt were able to catalytically crack heavier hydrocarbon molecules in the diesel oil to fractions lower than C6 (wh ich may have been gases) thus leading to a decrease in the TPH concentration of those sample, while other concentrations of the salt were able to breakdown heavier hydrocarbon mo lecules to fractions with in the C6 to C40 range thus leading to an increase in the TPH concentrations of the samples. The treatment also led to decrease and increase in the density of the samples.

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