Rajan Wilcox
Distillate fuel oil is a general classification for one of the petroleum fractions produced in conventional distillation operations. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, is the common term for the distillate fuel oil sold for use in motor vehicles with compression-ignition engines. In this regard, diesel fuel is a type of distillate fuel oil. However, the term distillate has been used to describe lighter fractions of diesel and fuel oil, with No. 1 distillate and No. 2 distillate referring to the lighter fractions of both diesel and fuel oil. While diesel fuel is often associated with over-the-road fuel, No. 2 fuel oil is linked to a specific distillation curve.
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What You'll Learn
Distillate fuel oil is a classification of petroleum fractions
Over time, the term "distillate" came to refer to the lighter fractions of diesel and fuel oil, with “No. 1 distillate" and “No. 2 distillate" representing the lighter fractions of both products. However, it's important to note that there are distinct differences between fuel oil and diesel fuel. For instance, diesel fuel often contains additives that are specific to its intended application, such as lubricants and detergents in road diesels.
Products labelled as No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 diesel fuel are used in on-highway diesel engines, such as those found in trucks, automobiles, and off-highway engines like railroad locomotives and agricultural machinery. These diesel fuels are refined from crude oil and biomass materials. On the other hand, No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 fuel oils are primarily used for space heating and electric power generation.
The distinction between "over-the-road" and "off-road" diesel fuels is important. "Over-the-road" diesel, also known as on-highway diesel, is blended for specific climatic conditions and may contain additives to meet these requirements. "Off-road" diesel, on the other hand, is used in machinery and non-road vehicles and is typically cheaper due to lower taxes.
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Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil
Distillate fuel oil is a general classification for one of the petroleum fractions produced in conventional distillation operations. It includes diesel fuels and fuel oils. No. 1 distillate and No. 2 distillate refer to the lighter fractions of both diesel fuel and fuel oil, with different characteristics between the two. Distillate fuel was commonly used to power North American agricultural tractors in the early and mid-20th century and was chemically similar to kerosene.
The refining process for crude oil separates the liquid into different fractions based on boiling points. The longest hydrocarbon chains have a boiling point of over 400 degrees Celsius, while fuel oil emerges when the vapour cools down below 370 degrees Celsius. As the vapour rises in the distillation tower, shorter hydrocarbon chains begin to liquefy, creating various distillates.
Diesel fuel is created by recombining these shorter hydrocarbon chain distillates in specific proportions. This process creates a diesel fuel that is ready to have required additives blended in before being sold. U.S. petroleum refineries produce an average of 11 to 12 gallons of diesel fuel from each 42-gallon barrel of crude oil.
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Diesel engines are used in freight trucks, trains, buses, and boats
Distillate fuel oil is a general classification for one of the petroleum fractions produced in conventional distillation operations. It includes diesel fuels and fuel oils. Diesel fuel is commonly used in freight trucks, trains, buses, and boats.
Diesel fuel is also used in military tanks and trucks because it is less flammable and less explosive than other fuels. Most construction, farming, and military vehicles and equipment have diesel engines. Diesel fuel is also used in diesel engine generators to generate electricity. Many industrial facilities, large buildings, institutional facilities, hospitals, and electric utilities have diesel generators for backup and emergency power supply.
In the United States, most of the diesel fuel produced and consumed is refined from crude oil at petroleum refineries. On average, 11 to 12 gallons of diesel fuel are produced from each 42-gallon barrel of crude oil. Before 2006, diesel fuel sold in the United States contained high quantities of sulfur, which produces air pollution emissions harmful to human health. Since then, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued requirements to reduce the sulfur content of diesel fuel.
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Diesel fuel is used in diesel-engine generators
Diesel fuel is a distillate fuel oil, which is a general classification for one of the petroleum fractions produced in conventional distillation operations. It includes diesel fuels and fuel oils. Diesel fuel is commonly used in motor vehicles with compression ignition engines, named after their inventor, Rudolf Diesel, who patented his original design in 1892. Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil and biomass materials, and is denser than gasoline, with a higher efficiency level.
There are different grades of diesel fuel available, including Diesel Fuel Grade #1 (DF1) and Diesel Fuel Grade #2 (DF2), which differ in viscosity and volatility. A blend of these two grades is also available, known as Winterized Diesel, which is useful for operating engines in cold weather as diesel fuel can become thick and gel-like in sub-freezing temperatures.
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Distillate fuel was used in early tractors
Distillate fuel, also known as tractor fuel, was a petroleum product used to power North American agricultural tractors in the early and mid-20th century. It was a popular fuel choice for tractors from 1925 until 1956, when the last "all-fuel" tractors were sold, and diesel-fuelled tractors gained popularity.
Distillate fuel was a cheaper alternative to gasoline in farming regions, as it was a less refined product and was taxed at a lower rate or not at all. It was chemically similar to kerosene, but impure, and had a heavier molecular weight than gasoline. Octane ratings for distillate fuel varied between 33 and 45.
Tractors designed for distillate fuel could operate on gasoline, but they developed less power on this fuel source. They were usually started with gasoline and then switched to distillate fuel once the engine was warm. This was because distillate fuel required a lower compression ratio than gasoline to prevent combustion knock and potential engine damage.
Distillate fuel was eventually withdrawn from the market as cheaper, higher-grade gasoline and diesel fuels became available. The term "distillate" now refers to the lighter fractions of diesel and fuel oil, with No. 1 distillate and No. 2 distillate referring to the lighter fractions of both products.
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Frequently asked questions
Distillate fuel oil is a general classification for one of the petroleum fractions produced in conventional distillation operations. It includes diesel fuels and fuel oils.
Diesel fuel is the common term for the distillate fuel oil sold for use in motor vehicles that use compression ignition engines. It is refined from crude oil and biomass materials.
Distillate fuel oil is a broader category that includes diesel fuel. Diesel fuel, while a type of distillate fuel oil, is more specifically used as an "over-the-road" fuel for motor vehicles.
Other distillate fuel oils include No. 1 Fuel Oil, No. 2 Fuel Oil, and No. 4 Fuel Oil. No. 1 and No. 2 Fuel Oils are used for heating and powering stoves, while No. 4 Fuel Oil is used in industrial plants and commercial burner installations.
