Shell fuel quality temporarily degraded.
Discussion
Stopped today at a shell and had a chat to a tanker driver who was filling up the forecourt tanks - and he had some interesting stuff to say.
Apparently due to problems with refineries e.t.c many stations are now sourcing their normal unleaded from different sources, and it's much worse quality - he said he'd never put it in his own car, pointing out the fact that shell have subtly changed the labels on the pumps where this is relevant-they don't say 'shell' on them... Vpower continues to be sourced as usual from a different place so the quality is the same. If in doubt, check the pump and ask, but he really did stress that he wouldn't touch the stuff.
He also said that many people take off jackets/fiddle with clothing before using the pumps, which can create enough static to ignite the fuel vapour around you if you're particularly unlucky. Apparently keeping one hand on your car body as you fill up can reduce this risk, something i usually unconsciously do anyway. He also sees many people walk away from the pumps on the phone to the nearest clear area, which happens to usually have the tank vapour discharge valves, which is an even more dangerous place to be...
Apparently due to problems with refineries e.t.c many stations are now sourcing their normal unleaded from different sources, and it's much worse quality - he said he'd never put it in his own car, pointing out the fact that shell have subtly changed the labels on the pumps where this is relevant-they don't say 'shell' on them... Vpower continues to be sourced as usual from a different place so the quality is the same. If in doubt, check the pump and ask, but he really did stress that he wouldn't touch the stuff.
He also said that many people take off jackets/fiddle with clothing before using the pumps, which can create enough static to ignite the fuel vapour around you if you're particularly unlucky. Apparently keeping one hand on your car body as you fill up can reduce this risk, something i usually unconsciously do anyway. He also sees many people walk away from the pumps on the phone to the nearest clear area, which happens to usually have the tank vapour discharge valves, which is an even more dangerous place to be...
BusaMK said:
Stopped today at a shell and had a chat to a tanker driver who was filling up the forecourt tanks - and he had some interesting stuff to say.
Apparently due to problems with refineries e.t.c many stations are now sourcing their normal unleaded from different sources, and it's much worse quality - he said he'd never put it in his own car, pointing out the fact that shell have subtly changed the labels on the pumps where this is relevant-they don't say 'shell' on them... Vpower continues to be sourced as usual from a different place so the quality is the same. If in doubt, check the pump and ask, but he really did stress that he wouldn't touch the stuff.
He also said that many people take off jackets/fiddle with clothing before using the pumps, which can create enough static to ignite the fuel vapour around you if you're particularly unlucky. He also sees many people walk away from the pumps on the phone to the nearest clear area, which happens to usually have the tank vapour discharge valves, which is an even more dangerous place to be...
I've not seen too many petrol stations in the news after somebody burst into flames because they wore a jacket.Apparently due to problems with refineries e.t.c many stations are now sourcing their normal unleaded from different sources, and it's much worse quality - he said he'd never put it in his own car, pointing out the fact that shell have subtly changed the labels on the pumps where this is relevant-they don't say 'shell' on them... Vpower continues to be sourced as usual from a different place so the quality is the same. If in doubt, check the pump and ask, but he really did stress that he wouldn't touch the stuff.
He also said that many people take off jackets/fiddle with clothing before using the pumps, which can create enough static to ignite the fuel vapour around you if you're particularly unlucky. He also sees many people walk away from the pumps on the phone to the nearest clear area, which happens to usually have the tank vapour discharge valves, which is an even more dangerous place to be...
t. 
Mythbusters did the phone/petrol station a while ago:
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/vide... (they also did it in part of a full episode).
Clothing can cause static though (in the vid too) but it tends to be a US problem as we don't have the squeeze and lock pumps for hands free filling.
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/vide... (they also did it in part of a full episode).
Clothing can cause static though (in the vid too) but it tends to be a US problem as we don't have the squeeze and lock pumps for hands free filling.
TheHeretic said:
People rustle clothes millions of times a day filling up fuel, and yet the world has not exploded. 
He is right in principle, static electricity can cause a fire but as this happens very rarely, out of the billions of fuel filling every year I would say it is on par with being stuck by lightning whilst winning the euromillions..BusaMK said:
He also sees many people walk away from the pumps on the phone to the nearest clear area, which happens to usually have the tank vapour discharge valves, which is an even more dangerous place to be...
Is he aware that for 10 years petrol stations have installed mobile phone masts in the signs of the forecourts without significant explosions..
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff