Contaminated petrol - mystery deepens at Greenergy / Harvest / Vopak - is 5% ethanol component contamination the cause ?
This statement appeared on the Greenergy website 2 nd March 2007 21.00hrsi.e 5 days ago.
In the last hour we have been notified of the results of independent tests on a component that we understand was purchased and used in the production of unleaded petrol by Harvest Energy, the fuel producer that shares our final delivery tanks at the Vopak terminal in West Thurrock. The tests showed excess levels of silicon. We understand Vopak have isolated the component in question.We have asked Harvest Energy to clarify the situation urgently and in the interests of all concerned motorists.Tesco said in newspaper advertisements yesterday
"We have traced the problem to a batch of unleaded fuel from a storage facility used by one of our suppliers in Essex."We have asked Harvest Energy to clarify the situation urgently and in the interests of all
concerned motorists.
Readers are invited to checkout Royal Society of Chemistry
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007/March/02030702.asp
The Chemistry World Weblog.
http://prospect.rsc.org/blogs/cw/?p=405
We have asked Harvest Energy to clarify the situation urgently and in the interests of all
concerned motorists.
So 5 days ago "a component that we understand was purchased and used in the production of unleaded petrol by Harvest Energy," was identified. Nobody seems anxious to tell us what it was and how (and when) it got there. How very odd. If you want more search this site for "Greenergy"
Details of a typical Food grade Antifoaming agent used in fermentation here
......"is a translucent, viscous, pseudoplastic compound of polydimethylsiloxane fluid and silica filler. It is tasteless with a slight, but not unpleasant odour. Silica content: 6%
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the most widely used silicon-based organic polymer. It is optically clear, and is generally considered to be inert, non-toxic and non-flammable. PDMS has been assigned CAS number 63148-62-9, and is occasionally called dimethicone. It is one of several types of silicone oil (polymerized siloxane). It is assigned the E number E900 as a food additive.
Fermentation of Beet molasses for ethanol at british Sugar details here at ICBD.
2 comments:
two points:
1) it still isn't clear what went wrong and particularly, where
2) is this how the supermarkets would behave if this was an OTC drug that was contaminated rather than petrol?
There is a difference, quality control of drugs, OTC or prescription is handled by an independent State body.
What Tesco calls petrol is whatever they want to call petrol ( as say Tesco Beef stock) - naturally the EU specification determine certain characteristics but is silent on , say, silicon levels.
It apears that everyone knows what the source of contamination is but choose to speak in very general terms, rather than specific identifiable chemicals and sources.
No doubt some confidential financial deal is of fundamental importance...eg. (and just guessing) someone accepts responsibility and agrees a CONFIDENTIAL deal to pick up the tab for all cost involved - contra everyone's silence.
Greenergy have been getting back to us for days.Their website still shows the 2nd March Press release
"In the last hour we have been notified of the results of independent tests on a component that
we understand was purchased and used in the production of unleaded petrol by Harvest
Energy, the fuel producer that shares our final delivery tanks at the Vopak terminal in West
Thurrock. The tests showed excess levels of silicon. We understand Vopak have isolated the
component in question.
We have asked Harvest Energy to clarify the situation urgently and in the interests of all
concerned motorists."
"clarify the situation urgently " means whatever you want it to mean.
You can try the 2 telephone numbers they give for more info. best of Luck.
"For press queries please call 020 7404 7700 (out of hours 0870 626 4763) or email
greenergy@fourcommunications.com."
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