Sylvie Willis
Diesel fuel is a distillate fuel oil used in motor vehicles with compression-ignition engines. It is produced from various sources, the most common being petroleum. Diesel fuel is made from crude petroleum, which is composed of hydrocarbons of three major classes: paraffinic, naphthenic, and aromatic hydrocarbons. The fractional distillation of crude oil results in a mixture of carbon chains, typically containing 9-25 carbon atoms per molecule. This process occurs at temperatures between 150-380°C, depending on the source. Diesel fuel is also known as distillate in Australia and gas oil in France, and it is a high-volume product of oil refineries.
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is produced from petroleum
Diesel fuel is produced from various sources, with petroleum being the most common. Petroleum diesel is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil between 200 and 350 °C (392 and 662 °F) at atmospheric pressure. This results in a mixture of carbon chains that typically contain between 9 and 25 carbon atoms per molecule. This fraction is then subjected to hydrodesulfurization.
The process of fractional distillation involves separating the hundreds of different types of hydrocarbons present in crude oil. The different hydrocarbon chain lengths have progressively higher boiling points, which is important for the production of transportation fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel.
In the United States, U.S. petroleum refineries produce most of the diesel fuel consumed in the country. The U.S. produces and consumes biomass-based diesel fuels, in addition to petroleum-based diesel. Before 2006, most diesel fuel sold in the U.S. contained high quantities of sulfur, which contributes to air pollution emissions. However, in 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued requirements to reduce the sulfur content of diesel fuel, resulting in the transition to ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
Synthetic diesel can also be produced from carbonaceous precursors such as natural gas, using the Fischer-Tropsch process. Biodiesel, another alternative to petroleum-derived diesel, can be obtained from vegetable oil or animal fats, which are mainly Diesel fuel is produced from various sources, with petroleum being the most common. In the United States, diesel fuel is primarily produced by petroleum refineries, while in Europe, diesel engines traditionally ran on coal-tar creosote oil.
Petroleum diesel is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil between 200 and 350 °C (392 and 662 °F) at atmospheric pressure. This results in a mixture of carbon chains that typically contain between 9 and 25 carbon atoms per molecule. This fraction is then subjected to hydrodesulfurization. The resulting “straight-run” diesel often has insufficient supply and quality, so other sources of diesel fuel are blended in. One major source is obtained by cracking heavier fractions using visbreaking and coking, which converts less useful fractions into desired hydrocarbons.
Synthetic diesel can also be produced from carbonaceous precursors, with natural gas being the most important. Raw materials are converted into synthesis gas, which is then converted into synthetic diesel using the Fischer-Tropsch process. This synthetic diesel is primarily composed of paraffins with low sulfur and aromatics content and is often blended into petroleum-derived diesel.
Biodiesel, another alternative to petroleum-derived diesel, can be obtained from vegetable oil or animal fats (biolipids), which are mainly fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). It can be produced from various oils, with rapeseed oil being the most common in Europe and soybean oil in the US. Methanol can be replaced with ethanol during the transesterification process to produce ethyl esters.
Diesel fuel is a distillate fuel oil specifically designed for use in diesel engines, which are internal combustion engines that use compression ignition. Diesel fuel has good compression ignition characteristics and higher energy content per volume compared to petrol, resulting in higher fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. However, diesel fuel contains more pollutants that must be extracted to meet emissions standards.
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Diesel engines previously ran on cheap fuel oils
Diesel fuel is any liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine, a type of internal combustion engine in which fuel ignition occurs without a spark. Instead, the inlet air is compressed, and then the fuel is injected. Diesel fuel is produced from various sources, the most common being petroleum. Diesel fuel originated from German scientist Rudolf Diesel's experiments with his compression-ignition engine, which he invented around 1892.
Before diesel fuel was standardised, diesel engines typically ran on cheap fuel oils. In the United States, these were distilled from petroleum, whereas in Europe, coal-tar creosote oil was used. Some diesel engines were fuelled with mixtures of fuels, such as petrol, kerosene, rapeseed oil, or lubricating oil, which were cheaper because they were not taxed. The introduction of motor-vehicle diesel engines in the 1930s meant that higher-quality fuels with proper ignition characteristics were needed.
In the latter half of the 20th century, diesel displaced coal and fuel oil for steam-powered vehicles. Diesel engines are not well-suited for planes and helicopters due to their comparatively low power-to-mass ratio, making them heavy and therefore a disadvantage in aircraft. However, diesel fuel is commonly used in oil and gas extraction equipment.
Today, diesel fuel is standardised in many countries, such as in the European Union, where it is known as EN 590. In the United States, most of the diesel fuel consumed is distillate fuel with a sulfur content of 15 parts per million or less, called ultra-low sulfur distillate or ULSD. In the United Kingdom, diesel fuel for road use is commonly called diesel or white diesel.
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Petroleum diesel is the most common type of diesel fuel
Diesel fuel is any liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine, a type of internal combustion engine in which fuel ignition occurs without a spark as a result of the compression of inlet air and the injection of fuel. Diesel fuel is produced from various sources, including petroleum, biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
The United States is a major producer and consumer of petroleum-based diesel fuel, with U.S. petroleum refineries producing most of the diesel fuel consumed in the country. In the U.S., diesel fuel is typically refined from crude oil at petroleum refineries, with an average yield of 11 to 12 gallons of diesel fuel from each 42-gallon barrel of crude oil. The diesel fuel produced and consumed in the U.S. is primarily ultra-low-sulfur distillate (ULSD), which has a maximum sulfur content of 15 parts per million.
In Europe, diesel fuel is also commonly used in cars, with over half of new car registrations being diesel-powered. Diesel fuel in Europe is subject to different standards and regulations, such as the limit of 10 ppm sulfur content since 2009. The use of diesel fuel in Europe has led to the development of "low" compression diesel engines, which aim to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Petroleum diesel's status as the most common type of diesel fuel can be attributed to the widespread adoption of diesel engines in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and energy generation. Its availability, energy density, and performance characteristics make it a preferred choice for many applications, contributing to its prevalence worldwide.
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Synthetic diesel is produced from carbonaceous precursors
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel used in diesel engines, which are internal combustion engines. The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, which is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil at temperatures between 200 and 350 °C (392 and 662 °F) at atmospheric pressure. This process results in a mixture of carbon chains that typically contain between 9 and 25 carbon atoms per molecule.
However, diesel fuel can also be produced synthetically from carbonaceous precursors. Synthetic diesel, also known as synfuel, is a liquid fuel produced from low-energy-content carbonaceous sources, such as natural gas, coal, or biomass. The process of converting these feedstocks into synthetic diesel was developed by Fischer and Tropsch in the 1920s and is known as the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process. This process involves converting the raw materials into synthesis gas, which is then converted into synthetic diesel. Synthetic diesel produced in this way is mainly composed of paraffins with low sulfur and aromatics content. It can be used in existing diesel engines without modifications and has been found to reduce regulated diesel emissions.
The use of synthetic diesel fuels has several advantages. Firstly, they can be produced from a variety of carbonaceous feedstocks, including solid, liquid, or gaseous sources. Secondly, synthetic diesel fuels have excellent properties, such as a high cetane number and no sulfur content. The cetane number indicates the fuel's ability to ignite when sprayed into hot compressed air, and a higher cetane number means better ignition. Synthetic diesel fuels also have environmental benefits, as they can reduce regulated diesel emissions, including NOx and PM.
However, there are also some challenges and concerns associated with synthetic diesel fuels. One issue is the commercialization of these fuels, as synthetic diesel produced from natural gas may not offer any significant greenhouse gas benefits compared to petroleum diesel. Only synthetic diesel fuels made using renewable feedstocks and/or renewable energy have the potential to reduce life cycle CO2 emissions relative to petroleum fuels. Additionally, the commercialization of synthetic diesel fuels may require infrastructure and resources, such as the availability of low-cost gas resources and transportation systems.
Overall, synthetic diesel produced from carbonaceous precursors offers a viable alternative to traditional petroleum-derived diesel. It provides advantages in terms of feedstock flexibility, fuel properties, and emissions reduction. However, addressing environmental concerns and infrastructure challenges will be crucial for the widespread adoption and commercialization of synthetic diesel fuels.
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Biodiesel is increasingly being developed and adopted
Biodiesel is a renewable alternative to petroleum-based diesel fuel. It is derived from biological sources like vegetable oils, animal fats, recycled greases, and plant oils. Biodiesel can be made from any of these sources, although soybean oil is the primary feedstock for biodiesel production in the US, while canola oil and rapeseed oil are the most common feedstocks in Canada and Western Europe, respectively.
Biodiesel has several advantages over petroleum-based diesel fuel. Firstly, it produces significantly lower levels of harmful emissions, including unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, particulate matter, and sulfur oxides (SOx). The reduction in SOx emissions is particularly significant, as these gases are largely responsible for acid rain and the reduced performance of catalytic converters on diesel engines. Biodiesel also has better lubricity, resulting in improved engine energy output and a longer usable life for high-pressure fuel injection equipment.
The use of biodiesel offers additional benefits beyond reduced emissions and improved engine performance. Biodiesel is a renewable resource, helping to decrease countries' dependence on foreign nations for energy sources. It also contributes to improved public health by reducing the levels of contaminants in the environment, which have been linked to increasing incidences of allergies and respiratory ailments.
The development and adoption of biodiesel have been increasing. Since the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, biodiesel use has been on the rise in the United States. In the UK, the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation mandates that suppliers include 5% renewable fuel in all transport fuel sold, effectively meaning 5% biodiesel in road diesel. Several car manufacturers, such as Chrysler and Volkswagen, have also indicated their acceptance of biodiesel as a diesel fuel additive, with some models compatible with biodiesel blends.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, diesel fuel is a distillate of petroleum fuel oil.
Diesel fuel is any liquid fuel specifically designed for use in a diesel engine, a type of internal combustion engine.
Diesel fuel is made from crude petroleum through fractional distillation, resulting in a mixture of carbon chains.
Alternatives to petroleum-derived diesel include biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL) diesel, and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel.
