Sasol has opened its R70 million Fuels Application Centre (SFAC) at Capricorn Park in Cape Town at a function attended by the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor and Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille.

The facility, which will facilitate state-of-the-art fuels research and development, is the company's biggest intervention to test the impact of its range of synthetic and crude oil derived fuels on vehicle emission and performance.

The centre is one of a few such test facilities in the world and the first of its kind in southern Africa. It is an extension of the existing fuels research facility situated at the Sasol R&D facility in Sasolburg and complements the work done at the Sasol Advanced Fuels Laboratory at the University of Cape Town.

Using some of the most advanced engine testing and emissions measurement technologies, the centre will ensure Africa will compete with the world's best fuels research facilities.

Within a well-controlled and safe testing environment research at the facility will be directed at deepening understanding of vehicle emissions, along with their impact on the environment unlike at similar international test centres where the focus is largely on routine engine production verification, certification and component development.

Sasol Technology Managing Director, Willem Louw explains: "This facility has six engine test cells that are used for research and testing. Inside each cell is a specific engine that is coupled to a dynamometer (an electrically controlled brake to simulate vehicle operating conditions) so that the engine can be run under the entire scope of operating conditions that it would in its normal application."

Research teams are interested in both the performance of the fuel in the engine and the gasses and particulate matter that are emitted from the exhaust pipe. Three of the six cells have the ability to analyse these gases accurately, making it possible to determine the effects of various fuel formulations on exhaust emissions in an effort to help minimize Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

Speaking at the launch Sasol CE, Pat Davies, said the centre will showcase local innovation. "This Sasol Fuels Application Centre will facilitate state-of-the-art fuels research and development while showcasing the best of our home-grown technology, from the African continent, to the rest of the world", Davies said.

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