Katerina Swanson
Sulphur is a natural component of crude oil, which is used to produce diesel fuel. It is tasteless and odourless and is essential to life on earth as it is a key component in many amino acids and proteins. However, it is also a major contributor to air pollution. Over the years, the allowable sulphur content in diesel fuel has been dramatically reduced due to advancements in the refining process and legislated changes to fuel standards. This has resulted in the production of ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) fuel, which has a maximum sulphur content of 15 parts per million (ppm). ULSD fuel is now commonly used in North America and Europe and is mandated for on-road use in all engines manufactured after 2007.
Characteristics and Values of Low Sulfur Diesel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sulfur Content | 15 ppm or lower |
| Engine Performance | Improved performance and smoother operation due to higher cetane rating |
| Fuel Efficiency | Better fuel efficiency due to cleaner burning, producing less soot and emissions |
| Emissions | Reduced emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide |
| Environmental Impact | Lower harmful emissions, benefiting the environment and human health |
| Lubricity | Reduced lubricating properties, requiring ASTM D975 lubricity specification to protect engine fuel injection systems |
| Energy Content | Minor decrease in energy content, potentially impacting peak power and fuel economy |
| Cost | Increased pump prices due to higher production costs |
| Seal Compatibility | May cause seals to shrink and fuel pump failures in certain older engine models |
| Corrosion | Lower risk of corrosive wear on engine metal surfaces due to reduced sulfuric acid formation |
| Detergents | Reduced need for detergent additives in engine oil |
| Applicability | Required for on-road use in engines manufactured after 2007 in the US |
| Global Adoption | Widely adopted in Europe, North America, China, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia |
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What You'll Learn
Sulfur's impact on engine components
Sulfur is a naturally occurring component of crude oil, which is used to produce diesel fuel. It is also a major contributor to air pollution. As such, the EPA has placed strict regulations on the amount of sulfur that can be present in diesel fuel.
The impact of sulfur on engine components is primarily related to its corrosive effects. Sulfuric acids are formed during the combustion of sulfur-containing fuel, and these acids can cause significant corrosion in engine hardware. The risk of corrosion is dependent on the acidity of the fluid, which is measured by pH. Higher acidity increases the risk of corrosion.
With the introduction of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, the need for elevated levels of detergents that produce high Total Base Number (TBN) has been eliminated. Instead, modern engine oils must be formulated with protection against organic acid corrosion in mind. This requires a complex mix of detergent, antioxidant, and corrosion inhibitor additives to achieve optimum performance.
Additionally, the use of low sulfur diesel (LSD) fuel can improve engine performance. LSD has a higher cetane rating than high sulfur diesel (HSD), which allows it to ignite more quickly and burn more efficiently, resulting in smoother engine operation and better fuel efficiency.
Overall, the impact of sulfur on engine components is significant, and the use of low sulfur diesel fuel can help to mitigate the negative effects of corrosion and improve engine performance.
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Diesel fuel standards
Background
History of Diesel Fuel Standards
The history of diesel fuel standards has been marked by a gradual reduction in the allowable sulphur content, with the transition to ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) being a significant milestone. Here is a timeline of key developments:
- 1993: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating sulphur levels in diesel fuel, with a limit of 5000 parts per million (ppm).
- 1999: The European Union implemented modern ULSD specifications, mandating a reduction in diesel sulphur content.
- 2000: Hong Kong became the first city in Asia to introduce ULSD, with a sulphur content of 50 ppm.
- 2005: ASTM International adopted the lubricity specification ASTM D975 for all diesel fuels, addressing the reduced lubricity caused by low sulphur content.
- 2006: The EPA began phasing in more stringent regulations, lowering the sulphur content in diesel fuel to 15 ppm. The United States started phasing in ULSD for highway vehicles, while South Africa legislated a 50 ppm sulphur content limit.
- 2007: Implementation of ULSD requirements began for off-highway applications in the United States, including locomotive and marine fuel.
- 2011: 10 ppm diesel became available in some filling stations.
- 2013: Sasol launched 10 ppm diesel at selected filling stations in South Africa.
- 2014: China limited sulphur in diesel fuel to 50 ppm.
- 2015: 10 ppm diesel became available at all filling stations.
- 2017: China further reduced sulphur content in diesel fuel to 10 ppm.
- 2020: The EPA proposed regulatory changes to accommodate the distribution of distillate diesel fuel with a global sulphur standard of 5000 ppm for marine use.
Benefits of Low Sulphur Diesel
The transition to low sulphur diesel, such as ULSD, offers several advantages:
- Improved fuel efficiency: Low sulphur diesel burns more cleanly, producing less soot and emissions, resulting in better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs over the life of the engine.
- Enhanced engine performance: Low sulphur diesel has a higher cetane rating, leading to quicker ignition and more efficient burning, which improves engine performance and smoother operation.
- Reduced emissions: Low sulphur diesel significantly lowers emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur dioxide, benefiting the environment and human health.
Considerations
While low sulphur diesel offers numerous benefits, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- Lubricity: The process of reducing sulphur content can also decrease the fuel's lubricating properties, leading to potential engine wear.
- Energy content: The refining process to remove sulphur may result in a minor decrease in the energy content of the fuel, impacting peak power and fuel economy.
- Compatibility: ULSD is compatible with most modern engines but may cause issues in older engines or certain models, such as fuel pump failures in some Volkswagen TDI engines.
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Low sulfur diesel benefits
Since the 1990s, there has been a global push to reduce the sulfur content in diesel fuel. This push has resulted in significant reductions in harmful emissions, with positive effects on both the environment and public health.
Low sulfur diesel, also known as ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), is a type of diesel fuel that contains a maximum of 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur. This is a substantial decrease from the previous levels of up to 5,000 ppm. The reduction in sulfur content has led to several benefits:
Improved Fuel Efficiency and Lower Operating Costs:
LSD burns more cleanly, producing less soot and emissions. This results in better fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs over the life of the engine.
Enhanced Engine Performance:
LSD has a higher cetane rating, which allows it to ignite more quickly and burn more efficiently. This leads to smoother engine operation and improved overall performance.
Reduced Emissions and Improved Air Quality:
LSD produces significantly fewer emissions compared to high-sulfur diesel (HSD), including particulate matter (soot), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). This reduction in emissions has a positive impact on the environment and human health. The use of LSD, along with advanced emission control devices, can reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions by up to 95% and 90%, respectively.
Compliance with Regulations:
In many regions, such as North America, Europe, and India, the use of LSD is mandated for on-road vehicles. For example, in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented stringent regulations, requiring all highway diesel fuel and vehicles to use ULSD since 2007.
Compatibility with Modern Engines:
LSD is compatible with modern diesel engines equipped with pollution-control technology. Using HSD in newer engines can damage emission controls and void warranties.
While there are numerous benefits to using LSD, there are also some trade-offs, such as the need to address the reduced lubricity of the fuel and the potential for accelerated tank corrosion due to its higher affinity for water. However, these challenges can be mitigated through the use of fuel additives and the adoption of new fuel technologies.
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High sulfur diesel use cases
High-sulfur diesel (HSD) is typically used for older diesel engines or for off-road and marine applications. HSD, also known as regular diesel, has been used in diesel engines for decades and contains up to 5,000 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur. This is in contrast to low-sulfur diesel (LSD), which has a limit of 15 ppm for on-road diesel fuel set by organizations such as the EPA.
One use case for HSD is in the context of older diesel engines. Older engines may be better suited for HSD as they may not have the same emissions requirements as newer engines. Additionally, HSD may be preferred for off-road or marine applications. For example, in Canada, dyed diesel (which is typically HSD) is used to give farmers and equipment operators a tax break since these machines are not used on roads. Similarly, in the United States, HSD is used for marine vessels operating in designated Emission Control Areas (ECAs) as it complies with the global sulfur standard of 5,000 ppm for marine fuel.
Another use case for HSD is in the context of global marine fuel. Ocean-going vessels and large ships traditionally used "bunker fuel," which contains high levels of sulfur (up to 50,000 ppm). While efforts have been made to reduce the use of bunker fuel due to its contribution to air pollution, HSD that complies with the global sulfur standard of 5,000 ppm can still be distributed and sold as marine fuel.
It is important to note that the use of HSD may be regulated by organizations like the EPA to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality. As such, it is recommended to consult with experts to determine which type of diesel fuel is most suitable for a specific application.
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Sulfur's impact on fuel lubricity
Sulfur is a naturally occurring component of crude oil, which is used to produce diesel fuel. While it has provided diesel fuel with natural lubricating properties, it is also a major contributor to air pollution. As a result, regulatory bodies such as the EPA have implemented increasingly strict regulations to reduce the allowable sulfur content in diesel fuel.
The drive to reduce sulfur content in diesel fuel has introduced challenges, as low-sulfur diesel fuels lack the natural lubricity of their predecessors, leaving engine components more vulnerable to wear and tear. Studies have shown that this reduction in sulfur content correlates with increased wear rates in fuel injectors and pumps due to inadequate lubrication. This phenomenon is known as "shearing", which refers to the breakdown of lubricating films, increasing friction and wear. In addition, the absence of sulfur can lead to the formation of small pits or indentations on metal surfaces, a process known as "micropitting", caused by repeated stress and inadequate lubrication. Both shearing and micropitting can accelerate the degradation of engine parts and negatively impact overall performance.
To address the loss of lubricity in ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, biodiesel is often used as a blending compound. Biodiesel blends can effectively restore lubricity and improve engine performance. Research has shown that biodiesel blends of up to 20% with diesel fuel can significantly reduce wear on tribo-contact surfaces and decrease the friction coefficient. Additionally, biodiesel offers environmental benefits by setting aside the threat of pollution caused by chemically derived diesel additives.
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Frequently asked questions
Sulfur is a naturally occurring element that is tasteless and odourless. It is a key component in many amino acids and proteins that are essential to life on earth. It is added to diesel fuel as it is a natural component of crude oil, which is used to produce diesel fuel.
Sulfur is a major contributor to air pollution. The combustion of diesel fuel containing sulfur creates sulfuric acid, which causes corrosive wear on the metal surfaces of an engine.
ULSD is diesel fuel with substantially lowered sulfur content. Since 2006, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in Europe and North America has been ULSD.
ULSD has better fuel efficiency, improved engine performance, and reduced emissions.
The pump at the fuel station will usually be labelled as ULSD or LSD.
