Petron bares non-toxic diesel engine cleaner

Petron Corp., the country’s largest oil company, launched yesterday the first non-toxic, biodegradable diesel engine cleaning technology in the market as part of its continuing efforts to promote a cleaner environment.

The new technology called "Carbon Flush" is a product of more than three years of continuing intense research and testing by Petron’s highly-qualified technical group. 

"This is unique to the Philippines.  We do hope that by launching this product, we also raise the awareness of our consumers with regard to the importance of keeping their vehicles properly maintained," Petron president and CEO Khalid Al-Faddagh said.

Al-Faddagh said the product is produced at Petron’s manufacturing plant in Pandacan.

The company has spent about P30 million for the research and development of various fuel-related technologies, including Carbon Flush.

Carbon Flush is injected into a running engine as a fine spray.  The product then loosens engine deposits that are carried outside by exhaust gases.  The engine can now take more air, providing optimum combustion efficiency and reduced exhaust emissions.  It also has an added benefit of protecting engine parts by preventing the formation of carbon deposits.

In recent field tests, smoke emission of vehicles injected with Carbon Flush showed immediate visible improvement and a reduction of emissions by as much as 70 percent.  More efficient combustion also resulted in fuel savings of nearly 10 percent.

The product could be applied in diesel engine at least once every three months by a qualified Petron personnel.

Carbon Flush will be initially available in 21 Petron service stations and will be offered to motorists free for two months. The product would then be offered at Petron retail stations in key cities at a low price of below P100. 

The same technology, Al-Faddagh said, is expected to be developed for gasoline-run vehicles soon.

In 2002, Petron also pioneered in making automotive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). At present, auto LPG is nearly P20 per liter cheaper than unleaded gasoline. 

To date, more than 600 vehicles, mostly from taxi fleets, enjoy the benefit of Petron’s auto LPG brand- Xtend.  About seven service stations in Metro Manila sell the Xtend product.