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Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel used in diesel engines. It is produced through the fractional distillation of crude oil, resulting in a mixture of hydrocarbons with carbon atom counts ranging from 9 to 25 per molecule. This process yields approximately 11 to 12 gallons of diesel fuel from each 42-gallon barrel of crude oil. Diesel fuel can also be derived from alternative sources such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) methods, reducing dependence on petroleum and lowering emissions. The most common type of diesel fuel remains a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, and it is a high-volume product of oil refineries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Diesel fuel, also called diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is any liquid fuel specifically designed for use in a diesel engine. |
| Production | Diesel fuel is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil between 200 and 350 °C at atmospheric pressure. |
| Composition | Diesel fuel consists mainly of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons with a boiling point range of approximately 163–357 °C. |
| Classification | Diesel fuel is classified based on the type of engine it fuels, ranging from 1-D to 4-D. |
| Grades | Several grades of diesel fuel are manufactured, including "light-middle" and "middle" distillates for high-speed engines, and "heavy" distillates for low and medium-speed engines. |
| Performance Criteria | Cetane number (a measure of ease of ignition), ease of volatilization, and sulfur content. |
| Energy Content | Diesel fuel contains more energy per litre than petrol, resulting in higher fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. |
| Pollutants | Diesel fuel contains pollutants such as sulfur and solid carbon particulates, which must be extracted to meet emissions standards. |
| Alternatives | Alternatives to petroleum-derived diesel include biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. |
| Standardization | Diesel fuel is standardized in many countries, such as the European Union's EN 590 standard and the U.S. ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) requirements. |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is a distillate of crude oil
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. Rudolf Diesel, the German scientist and inventor, originally designed his compression-ignition engine to work with any kind of fuel. However, the first prototype and the first functional engine were designed for liquid fuels.
Diesel fuel No. 1, also known as a straight-run middle distillate, has a boiling range similar to kerosene. It contains branched-chain alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, and mixed aromatic cycloalkanes. The boiling point range of diesel No. 1 helps eliminate the presence of benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Diesel fuel No. 2 is a blend of straight-run and catalytically cracked streams, including various forms of distillates and cracked distillates.
While petroleum-derived diesel, or petrodiesel, is the most common type of diesel fuel, alternative types that are not derived from petroleum are also available. These include biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. The United States, for example, produces and consumes biomass-based diesel fuels, with an average of 11 to 12 gallons of diesel fuel derived from each 42-gallon barrel of crude oil.
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Crude oil contains hydrocarbons
Crude oil is a finite resource formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient dead marine organisms. It is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, with carbon atoms joined in chains and rings. Hydrocarbons are compounds that contain only hydrogen and carbon atoms. Crude oil consists mainly of alkanes, which are useful as they can be converted into shorter, more useful hydrocarbons.
Diesel fuel is a distillate fraction of crude oil, produced by fractional distillation. This process separates crude oil into simpler, more useful mixtures, as different hydrocarbons have different boiling points. The distillation of crude oil results in a mixture of carbon chains that typically contain between 9 and 20 carbon atoms per molecule. The boiling point range of diesel fuel is approximately 163-357°C, with a narrow range for diesel no. 1 that eliminates the presence of benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
The most common type of diesel fuel is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but alternatives that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are becoming more common. In the United States, for example, biodiesel fuels are also produced and consumed. The production of diesel fuel from crude oil involves several steps, including distillation, conversion, and clean-up.
Diesel fuel is specifically designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel engines do not require spark ignition as fuel ignition occurs due to the compression of inlet air and the injection of fuel. Diesel fuel has good compression ignition characteristics and is also used in non-diesel engines, such as boilers for steam engines.
In summary, crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons, and diesel fuel is produced through the fractional distillation of crude oil. Diesel fuel consists of hydrocarbons within a specific range of carbon numbers and boiling points. While most diesel fuel is derived from petroleum, alternative sources are being adopted, and the production process involves multiple steps beyond initial distillation.
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Diesel fuel production
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. Diesel engines are a type of internal combustion engine in which fuel ignition occurs without a spark due to the compression of inlet air and the injection of fuel. Diesel fuel is a high-volume product of oil refineries and is standardised in many countries.
The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil. Diesel fuel is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil at temperatures between 200 and 350 °C and atmospheric pressure. This results in a mixture of carbon chains containing predominantly between 9 and 20 carbon atoms per molecule. The boiling point range of diesel fuel is approximately 163–357 °C, with a flash point of >55 °C.
The fractional distillation process yields a range of products, including gasoline, diesel, and residual fuel oil. The specific composition of these products depends on the chemical composition of the crude oil feedstock. To meet market demands, refineries employ downstream conversion processes to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones. This is achieved through thermal cracking, catalytic cracking, and hydrocracking. The final product is obtained by blending these conversion products with the primary distillation streams.
Diesel fuel often undergoes upgrading processes to improve its quality and remove undesirable compounds. The most common upgrading process is hydrotreating, which involves chemical reactions with hydrogen to reduce the content of sulfur, nitrogen, and other compounds. Hydroprocessing can range from mild hydrofinishing to more severe hydrotreating, which saturates aromatic rings and removes almost all sulfur and nitrogen.
In recent years, there has been a shift towards reducing the sulfur content of diesel fuel due to its harmful impact on human health and the environment. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued requirements to lower the sulfur content in diesel fuel, leading to the widespread adoption of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). ULSD has a sulfur content of 15 parts per million or less and is now the standard for diesel fuel used in on-highway and non-road applications.
While petroleum-derived diesel, or petrodiesel, remains the most common type of diesel fuel, alternative sources that are not derived from petroleum are gaining traction. These alternatives include biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL) diesel, and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. The development and adoption of these non-petroleum-based diesel fuels contribute to a more diverse and sustainable energy landscape.
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Diesel fuel grades
Diesel fuel comes in three main grades: 1-D, 2-D, and 4-D. These differ in thickness, sulphur levels, and performance in cold conditions. Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines, with diesel reaching over 40% efficiency compared to just 20% for gas. This makes diesel a popular choice for large trucks and everyday vehicles due to its reduced fuel costs. Understanding the different diesel fuel grades can help you make the right choice for your vehicle.
#1 diesel, or 1-D, has a higher cetane number, making it suitable for cold weather operation. It has a lower viscosity and pour point, allowing it to flow more easily at lower temperatures. #1 diesel is typically used for regular driving and is more expensive due to the inclusion of added lubricants and detergents.
#2 diesel, or 2-D, is the most common type of diesel fuel available at gas stations and is widely sold in the United States. It has a higher viscosity and is suitable for warmer weather. #2 diesel is used for trucks carrying heavy loads and long-distance travel at consistent speeds. It is less volatile and provides better fuel economy, making it a cost-effective option.
#4 diesel, or 4-D, is a blend of distillate fuel oil and residual fuel oil. It is used for low or medium-speed engine builds and is less common in commercial trucking fleets.
In addition to the main grades, there are other types of diesel fuel, such as dyed diesel, biodiesel, and premium diesel. Dyed diesel is used for off-road purposes and is tax-exempt, but it is illegal to use on roads in many places. Biodiesel is made from renewable sources like vegetable oil and can be mixed with any grade of fuel to reduce emissions and improve lubrication. Premium diesel is a type of 2-D diesel with additives that promise better fuel economy and smooth engine performance.
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Diesel fuel alternatives
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel designed for diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel fuel is produced by fractional distillation of crude oil, resulting in a mixture of carbon chains. This process usually occurs at temperatures between 200 and 350 °C and atmospheric pressure.
The most common type of diesel fuel is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but alternatives that are not derived from petroleum are being increasingly developed and adopted. These alternatives include biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL) diesel, and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel.
Biodiesel is a renewable diesel fuel that can be produced from several different feedstocks, including fats, oils, and greases. It is processed to be chemically similar to petroleum diesel and can be used as a replacement fuel or blended with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel can be made from soybean oil, canola oil, or recycled cooking oil. However, it is important to properly filter and process biodiesel to avoid damaging fuel systems.
Biomass-to-liquid (BTL) diesel is another alternative that is derived from biomass. This process involves converting biomass or wet waste materials into oil, which can then be upgraded to hydrocarbon fuels. BTL diesel is considered a renewable and sustainable fuel that reduces carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions compared to conventional fuels.
Gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel is produced from natural gas, which is a domestically abundant fuel with potential cost advantages over diesel. GTL diesel is not as widely available as biodiesel or BTL diesel, but it is still an emerging alternative fuel option.
Other alternative fuels that have been used in diesel engines include vegetable oil, black diesel (recycled motor oil), and shale oil. However, these alternatives may require modifications to the engine and fuel systems, and they may not burn as cleanly as diesel fuel, potentially leading to higher emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel fuel is derived from fractional distillation of crude oil.
Biodiesel is a biofuel that can be made from oily plants such as soybean or oil palm. It has a very low sulfur content and can be blended with traditional diesel fuel or used alone in diesel engines.
Diesel fuel is made by heating crude oil in a distillation column and extracting different hydrocarbon chains as a vapour according to their vaporisation temperatures. These chains are then recondensed. Diesel fuel typically contains between 9 and 20 carbon atoms per molecule.
Diesel and petrol are both produced from mineral oil but have different refining methods. Diesel contains more energy per litre and its engine combustion process is more efficient, resulting in higher fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. However, diesel fuel traditionally produces greater quantities of certain air pollutants such as sulfur.
