Katerina Swanson
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil or heavy oil, is a liquid fuel designed for diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Rudolf Diesel, a German scientist, invented the diesel engine in the 1890s, and it has since become a high-volume product of oil refineries, with various derivatives such as biodiesel and petrodiesel. While diesel fuel has a standard specification in many countries, there is some variation in how it is referred to and coloured worldwide. In the UK, diesel fuel for road use is called 'white diesel', and in Australia, it is known as 'distillate'. Interestingly, in Seattle, there is a Fuel Gas Code that regulates the design and installation of fuel gas distribution systems, but it is unclear if this code covers diesel fuel specifically.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diesel fuel colour code | Yellow |
| Gasoline fuel colour code | Red |
| Kerosene fuel colour code | Blue |
| Oil fuel colour code | Green |
| Diesel fuel in the UK | White diesel or DERV (diesel-engine road vehicle) |
| Diesel fuel in Australia | Distillate |
| Diesel fuel in Indonesia and Israel | Solar |
| Diesel fuel in France and Scotland in 1898 | Shale oil |
| Diesel fuel in the US before standardisation | Distilled from petroleum |
| Diesel fuel in Europe before standardisation | Coal-tar creosote oil |
| Fuel Type Code | A - Alcohol, B - Battery/Electric Vehicle, C - Compressed Natural Gas, D - Diesel, E - Ethanol 85, F - Fuel Cell, G - Gasoline, H - Hybrid/Electric, P - Propane |
| Fuel Gas Code | Regulates design and installation of fuel gas distribution piping systems, appliances, appliance venting systems, combustion air provisions, gaseous hydrogen systems, and motor vehicle gas fuel stations |
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What You'll Learn
- Gas/jerry cans have a colour code: red for gasoline, blue for kerosene, yellow for diesel, and green for oil
- The Fuel Type Code identifies the type of fuel a vehicle uses and is mandatory for motor-powered vehicles
- Diesel fuel is liquid fuel for diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine
- In the UK, diesel fuel for road use is called 'diesel' or 'white diesel' to differentiate it from agricultural diesel, which is called 'red diesel'
- Seattle has a Fuel Gas Code that regulates the design and installation of fuel gas distribution piping systems and appliances
Gas/jerry cans have a colour code: red for gasoline, blue for kerosene, yellow for diesel, and green for oil
Jerry cans are colour-coded to indicate the type of fuel or liquid they contain, making it easier to identify and prevent cross-contamination. Although the colour of the container is not regulated by OSHA, it appears to be a manufacturer's standard.
Red jerry cans are commonly used for storing petrol or gasoline. In the United Kingdom, diesel fuel for road use is called diesel or white diesel, to differentiate it from a reduced-tax agricultural product containing an identifying coloured dye known as red diesel.
Blue jerry cans are for kerosene. Kerosene is less volatile than other flammable liquids and is therefore stored in a blue can.
Yellow jerry cans are for diesel. Diesel fuel is highly flammable and should always be stored in a yellow safety can.
Green jerry cans are for oils. By "oils", the regulations refer to any kind of mixed oils that are flammable. When storing oils, follow basic safety precautions and store them outside of your home and away from anything that could ignite.
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The Fuel Type Code identifies the type of fuel a vehicle uses and is mandatory for motor-powered vehicles
The Fuel Type Code is a standardised system that identifies the type of fuel a vehicle uses. It is a mandatory requirement for all motor-powered vehicles. The code consists of a single character representing the fuel type, with each character corresponding to a specific fuel category. This system ensures clear and consistent identification of fuel types across different vehicles.
The Fuel Type Code plays a crucial role in vehicle registration processes, serving as a key field during new registrations and re-registrations. It provides a standardised method to classify and differentiate between various fuel types, aiding in record-keeping, regulatory compliance, and vehicle maintenance.
The codes encompass a range of fuel types currently in use. The code "A" represents alcohol-based fuels, while "B" denotes battery-powered or electric vehicles. Compressed Natural Gas is assigned the code "C", reflecting its status as a compressed gaseous fuel. Diesel fuel, a common choice for road vehicles, is represented by the code "D".
Ethanol 85, a blend of ethanol and gasoline, is identified by the code "E", while "F" represents fuel cells, an emerging technology in the automotive industry. Gasoline, also known as petrol, is coded as "G", and hybrid or electric vehicles, combining traditional fuel with electric power, are denoted by "H". Lastly, the code "P" is assigned to propane, a versatile fuel with various applications.
While the Fuel Type Code focuses on fuel identification for motor-powered vehicles, it's worth noting that fuel codes also extend beyond road vehicles. For example, the Seattle Fuel Gas Code regulates the design and installation of fuel gas distribution systems, appliances, and vehicle fuel stations. This code covers natural gas, liquid petroleum gas, and manufactured gases, demonstrating the broader scope of fuel coding systems.
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Diesel fuel is liquid fuel for diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed specifically for diesel engines. These engines are a type of internal combustion engine where fuel ignition occurs without a spark due to the compression of inlet air and subsequent fuel injection. This compression ignition characteristic is a key requirement for diesel fuel.
The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil. However, alternative sources that are not petroleum-based, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are gaining traction and adoption. To differentiate, petroleum-derived diesel is sometimes referred to as petrodiesel. Diesel fuel is a significant output of oil refineries and is standardized in many countries. For instance, the European Union has set EN 590 as the standard for diesel fuel.
The history of diesel fuel can be traced back to the experiments of German scientist and inventor Rudolf Diesel in the late 19th century. During his initial tests, Diesel used illuminating gas as fuel and successfully created functional designs with and without pilot injection. However, he did not intend to design a coal-dust engine due to the unavailability of fine, high-quality coal dust at the time. It wasn't until December 1899 that Diesel tested a coal-dust prototype, which, despite being functional, experienced piston ring failure due to coal dust deposition.
Before standardization, diesel engines often ran on inexpensive fuel oils. In the United States, these oils were distilled from petroleum, while in Europe, coal-tar creosote oil was used. In Scotland and France, the first 1898 production Diesel engines used shale oil as fuel because other options were too expensive. Diesel also experimented with various types of lamp oil, petrol, ligroin, coal tar creosote, paraffin oil, crude oil, gasoline, and fuel oil, eventually finding success with these alternatives.
In terms of colour coding, there is variation across different regions. In the United States, the colour code for diesel is typically associated with the colour yellow. However, in the United Kingdom, black jerry cans are used for diesel, while green represents petrol (gas) and red is used for unleaded petrol.
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In the UK, diesel fuel for road use is called 'diesel' or 'white diesel' to differentiate it from agricultural diesel, which is called 'red diesel'
In the UK, diesel fuel for road use is typically referred to as diesel or white diesel. This differentiates it from agricultural diesel, also known as red diesel. White diesel is the most common type of diesel fuel and is used in road vehicles, commercial power generators, engines, and domestic central heating systems. It is derived from petroleum and is composed of hydrocarbon molecules.
Red diesel, on the other hand, is a reduced-tax, agricultural-only product containing an identifying red dye. It is used in agricultural vehicles, home heating tanks, refrigeration units, and marine craft. Red diesel is exempt from taxation because it is intended for non-road use and is not suitable for road vehicles due to its high sulfur content. Using red diesel for road transportation may result in fines for tax avoidance.
The official term for white diesel is DERV, an acronym for diesel-engine road vehicle. White diesel is also sometimes referred to as road diesel, normal diesel, forecourt diesel, ultra-low sulphur diesel, and taxed diesel. It is important to differentiate white diesel from red diesel, as they have distinct permitted uses.
In terms of colour, white diesel is not actually white but rather a clear green or amber colour. The term "white" refers to its permitted use in road vehicles, in contrast to red diesel, which is explicitly for non-road applications.
In addition to white and red diesel, there is also a concept of green diesel, which refers to a biofuel manufactured from renewable materials. Green diesel is considered a greener alternative as it can reduce emissions by up to 90%.
While the UK primarily uses the terms white diesel and red diesel, other countries have different names for diesel fuel. In Australia, diesel is known as distillate, while in Indonesia, Israel, and most of the Middle East, it is called Solar, a trademarked name from the respective countries' national petroleum companies.
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Seattle has a Fuel Gas Code that regulates the design and installation of fuel gas distribution piping systems and appliances
While there is a colour code for gas cans, with red denoting gasoline, blue for kerosene, yellow for diesel, and green for oil, these are manufacturer standards and are not regulated by OSHA.
In Seattle, there is the Fuel Gas Code that regulates the design and installation of fuel gas distribution piping systems and appliances. The code includes natural, liquid petroleum, and manufactured gases. Gas piping permits are issued by Public Health - Seattle & King County. Seattle has adopted the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, with amendments specific to its jurisdiction. The code does not cover utility-owned piping and equipment before the point of delivery, single-family houses, duplexes, and townhouses with up to three stories with separate entrances, and liquefied petroleum gas installations. These installations are required to comply with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 58) and the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54).
The 2021 Seattle Fuel Gas Code is based on the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, which is copyrighted by the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC). The code includes appendices on sizing venting systems serving appliances with draft hoods, exit terminals of mechanical draft and direct-vent venting systems, and safety inspections of existing appliance installations.
The Seattle Fuel Gas Code is updated periodically, with previous versions from 2018 and 2015 also based on the respective International Fuel Gas Codes from those years. These versions also include appendices on venting system sizing and exit terminals, with the 2015 version additionally covering safety inspections. Read-only versions of the Seattle Fuel Gas Code are available online, while full versions can be purchased from iccsafe.org or through the Seattle Services Portal.
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Frequently asked questions
The code for diesel fuel is 'D'.
Current fuel type codes include:
- A - Alcohol
- B - Battery/Electric Vehicle
- C - Compressed Natural Gas
- E - Ethanol 85
- F - Fuel Cell
- G - Gasoline
- H - Hybrid/Electric
- P - Propane
Yes, although it is not regulated by OSHA, diesel fuel is associated with the colour yellow.
The colours in the fuel colour code are:
- Red - Gasoline
- Blue - Kerosene
- Green - Oil
