A UNIQUE fuel treatment product invented in Nigeria by a chemistry-studying Irish priest is now being dispensed from a Belfast forecourt for the first time.
Long-regarded in Ireland as the vehicle technicians' secret weapon, Dipetane is a fuel treatment designed to enhance the properties of existing fuel - whether that's petrol, diesel or kerosene.
By adding it to your existing tank at a rate of one litre of Dipetane to 200 litres, the enhancer has been laboratory-proven to give a 10 to 17 per cent increase in efficiency increase and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
And as well as being available over the counter at dozens of car parts suppliers across the north, the product is now there for drivers directly through the nozzle on the forecourt of Eugene O'Reilly's Speedline service station on Belfast's Kennedy Way.
It's clearly signed as costing 5p more per litre.
But according to Eugene, it has already won huge support from drivers.
“Whether they're driving a Porsche or a black taxi, people just keep coming back, because after the first few fills, they begin noticing the benefits.
“And I'd say that repeat sales on the Dipetane pump are currently running at 95 per cent.”
The product was discovered in 1986 almost by accident by Andrew Anglin, who was a member of the Society of African Missions Dromantine, who was studying chemistry in Nigeria at the time.
In simple terms, Dipetane protects costly injectors, valve stems and other burning systems by enabling a more efficient combustion process.
It has several benefits when added to a fuel, where it can increase power output, reduce emissions and generally improve engine performance.
And by improving combustion efficiency, the product can also help reduce engine wear and extend the life of that engine.
The Lisburn-headquartered McQuillan group of companies, a family-owned and run business operating a range of activities including civil engineering, demolition, quarrying, hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, outdoor cleaning services and analytical chemistry, has being using Dipetane in its HGVs and LGVs since 2017.
Stephen McQuillan, a director at the company (where sales last year increased from £30 million to £47.8 million), said: “The results have shown much greater fuel efficiency and we've been delighted with the outcome.
“We had reduced fuel consumption with noted ease in burner control at our asphalt production.
“Not only was the fuel usage dropping, but it was apparent the fuel being burnt with Dipetane additive was burning more effectively.”
He added: “Last year we set up a sustainability action group to address social, economic and environmental issues, and we've partnered with Dipetane to discuss opportunities for a further roll-out of its product across all our businesses and sites.”
Since its invention, Dipetane has flourished both domestically and internationally and is now sold in various-sized containers by hundreds of distributors in Ireland and has successfully spread to markets in Europe, Asia and the USA.
The self mixing rate is always 1:200 - ie one litre of Dipetane treats 200 litres of any fuel.
