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ASTM D975 is the standard specification for diesel fuel, covering seven grades of diesel fuel oils suitable for various types of diesel engines. The grades are distinguished by sulfur content, with Grade No. 1-D S15 being a special-purpose, light middle distillate fuel with a maximum of 15 ppm sulfur, and Grade No. 2-D being a general-purpose fuel with the same sulfur content but lower volatility. ASTM D975 also covers test methods for diesel fuel oils, including flash point, cloud point, water and sediment, carbon residue, distillation, viscosity, and lubricity. In addition to fossil fuels, ASTM standards also cover biodiesel and renewable diesel, which produce fewer emissions than conventional diesel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grades | No. 1-D S15, No. 1-D S500, No. 1-D S5000, No. 2-D S15, No. 2-D S500, No. 2-D S5000, No. 4-D |
| Sulfur Content | 15 ppm, 500 ppm, 5000 ppm |
| Volatility | No. 1-D is more volatile than No. 2-D |
| Usage | No. 1-D is for cold conditions, No. 2-D is for normal driving conditions |
| Biodiesel | B100 produces 75% fewer emissions than conventional diesel |
| Tests | Flash point, cloud point, water and sediment, carbon residue, ash, distillation, viscosity, sulfur, copper corrosion, cetane number, cetane index, aromaticity, lubricity, conductivity |
| Federal Requirements | Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates minimum volumes of renewable fuels |
| State Requirements | California regulates API gravity, lubricity, polycyclic aromatics, nitrogen, and cetane number |
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Grades of diesel fuel
Diesel fuel grades are classified by cetane number, cloud point, and pour point. The cetane number indicates how quickly the fuel ignites, while the cloud point marks the temperature at which wax crystals form, causing the fuel to appear cloudy. The pour point is the lowest temperature at which the fuel remains liquid. These characteristics determine cold-weather performance.
There are seven grades of diesel fuel oils suitable for various types of diesel engines. These are:
- Grade No. 1-D S15
- Grade No. 1-D S500
- Grade No. 1-D S5000
- Grade No. 2-D S15
- Grade No. 2-D S500
- Grade No. 2-D S5000
- Grade No. 4-D
Grade 1-D diesel is known for its lack of paraffin wax and low sulfur content. It has a high cetane rating (45-55) and includes detergents, demulsifiers, and rust inhibitors to prevent sediment buildup, water contamination, and corrosion. It is more expensive due to added lubricants, which reduce engine wear and extend vehicle lifespan. Grade 1-D is designed for cold weather operation and is less viscous than Grade 2-D.
Grade 2-D diesel is widely sold throughout the United States and is commonly used for automotive applications. It has a higher viscosity and is better suited for warmer weather. It is more affordable than Grade 1-D as it is produced with fewer refinement stages.
Grade 4-D fuel is used for low-speed, stationary units and is not appropriate for most mobile equipment.
Some fuel grades are blended for specific conditions, such as Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), which contains 15 ppm or less sulfur, resulting in lower emissions, better engine performance, and improved fuel economy. Dyed Diesel is another grade that is dyed red and primarily used for off-road purposes. It is tax-exempt, but using it on-road is illegal in many places and can damage engines. Biodiesel is made from renewable sources like vegetable oil and can be mixed with any grade of fuel to cut emissions and improve lubrication. Premium Diesel is Grade 2-D with additives that promise better fuel economy and smooth engine performance.
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Test methods
ASTM test methods for diesel fuel specifications are outlined in the 82-volume Annual Book of ASTM Standards, which contains over 12,000 standards written by 34,000 members of 140 technical committees. The standard referenced in this course was developed by Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants. ASTM D975 is the standard specification for diesel fuel, covering seven grades of diesel fuel oils suitable for various types of diesel engines. These grades are distinguished by sulfur content, with the Sxxx designation adopted to differentiate between grades. The specification outlines the required properties of diesel fuels at the time and place of delivery, in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
ASTM D5186 is another standard test method for determining the aromatic content and polynuclear aromatic content of diesel fuels and aviation turbine fuels by supercritical fluid chromatography. An aliquot of the fuel sample is injected into a packed silica adsorption column, and monoaromatics and polynuclear aromatics are separated from non-aromatics and detected using a flame ionization detector. This test method determines the total amounts of monoaromatic and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in motor diesel fuels.
Alternative test methods are also available, such as IP 354, ISO 6618, and ASTM D974. Detailed and updated versions of test methods are available for purchase from ASTM and other vendors. ASTM also offers courses on diesel fuels, specifications, and test methods, which are suitable for a wide range of professionals, including laboratory technicians, refinery engineers, and researchers.
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Fuel cleanliness
ASTM D975 is the standard specification for diesel fuel. It covers seven grades of diesel fuel oils suitable for various types of diesel engines. These grades are: Grade No. 1-D S15, Grade No. 1-D S500, Grade No. 1-D S5000, Grade No. 2-D S15, Grade No. 2-D S500, Grade No. 2-D S5000, and Grade No. 4-D.
The requirements specified for diesel fuel oils are determined by various test methods, including flash point, cloud point, water and sediment, carbon residue, ash, distillation, viscosity, sulfur, copper corrosion, cetane number, cetane index, aromaticity, lubricity, and conductivity.
One such test method for water and sediment in middle distillate fuels is ASTM D2709, which uses centrifugation to indicate free water or sediment suspended within the fuel as a haze or cloudiness for No. 1 and No. 2 diesel fuels. While this test does not identify the type(s) of fuel contamination, it provides a basis for understanding the level of contamination within the fuel supply.
Another test method, ASTM D6469, is the standard guide for microbial contamination in fuels and fuel systems. Microbial contamination can lead to fuel degradation and severe tank contamination. The microbes grow at the interface of water and fuel and can cause significant issues if not properly addressed.
To measure contamination in diesel fuel, the ISO 4406 cleanliness code is used as the industry standard. This code specifies measuring the size of particles in microns, with ISO 4406 measuring the number of particles larger than 4µm, 6µm, and 14µm within a 100ml fluid sample. The ISO Cleanliness Code 4406:1999 was established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to quantify particulate contamination levels per millilitre of fluid at three sizes: 4μ, 6μ, and 14μ.
Additionally, SAE standards J1488 and J1839 are used to test the effectiveness of fuel filtration systems in removing emulsified water. J1488 is specified for small water droplets, while J1839 evaluates water emulsion with larger droplets. ASTM, originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, also provides training and testing for industry professionals to enhance operability, efficiency, and effectiveness.
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Fuel quality
The ASTM D975 standard specification for diesel fuel oils covers seven grades of diesel fuel suitable for various types of diesel engines. These grades are:
- Grade No. 1-D S15
- Grade No. 1-D S500
- Grade No. 1-D S5000
- Grade No. 2-D S15
- Grade No. 2-D S500
- Grade No. 2-D S5000
- Grade No. 4-D
The Sxxx designation distinguishes grades by sulfur content, with S5000 grades corresponding to "regular" sulfur grades, S500 to "Low Sulfur" grades, and S15 to "Ultra-Low Sulfur" grades. Grade No. 1-D is a special-purpose, light middle distillate fuel with higher volatility, while Grade No. 2-D is a general-purpose, middle distillate fuel. Grade No. 4-D includes more viscous middle distillates and blends with residual fuel oils.
The ASTM D975 specification outlines 13 tests and their acceptable limits, which diesel fuel must meet at the time of delivery. These tests include flash point, cloud point, water and sediment, carbon residue, ash, distillation, viscosity, sulfur, copper corrosion, cetane number, cetane index, aromaticity, lubricity, and conductivity. Monitoring fuel quality is essential, especially in bulk fuel storage or long-term storage, as fuel properties can change over time. For example, water and debris contamination can lead to injector damage and change fuel properties such as flash point and ignition quality.
In the United States, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates the blending of renewables into diesel fuel. This has led to an increase in the use of biodiesel, which produces 75% fewer emissions than conventional diesel. Biodiesel blends are designated as B100, with B6 and B20 representing 6% and 20% biodiesel blends, respectively. ASTM specifications also exist for gasoline and oxygenate blends, such as ASTM D4806 for denatured ethanol and ASTM D5798 for fuels with a higher ethanol content.
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Sulfur content
The sulfur content of diesel fuel is an important factor in determining its environmental impact, public health implications, and monetary value. High sulfur content in diesel fuels can lead to potential negative health and environmental effects, and regulatory requirements often stipulate that only very low sulfur concentrations are acceptable.
The ASTM D975-23 standard specifies the acceptable sulfur content for seven grades of diesel fuel oils, with grades distinguished by their sulfur content rather than using words like "Low Sulfur". Grade No. 1-D S15 is a special-purpose, light middle distillate fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 15 ppm, making it an ultra-low sulfur grade. Grade No. 1-D S500 and Grade No. 2-D S500 are "Low Sulfur" grades, with a maximum sulfur content of 500 ppm. Grade No. 1-D S5000 and Grade No. 2-D S5000 are "regular" sulfur grades, with a maximum sulfur content of 5000 ppm. Grade No. 4-D is a more viscous middle distillate that can be blended with residual fuel oils, and its sulfur content is not specified in the standard.
To ensure compliance with regulations and monitor the environmental and health impacts of diesel fuel, it is crucial to accurately measure sulfur content. ASTM has developed test methods, such as ASTM D2622 and ASTM D3227, to determine the sulfur content in petroleum and diesel fuel. These methods involve dissolving a hydrogen sulfide-free sample in an alcoholic sodium acetate titration solvent and using techniques like the copper strip corrosion test to assess the relative degree of corrosivity associated with the presence of sulfur compounds.
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Frequently asked questions
ASTM D975 is the Standard Specification for diesel fuel.
There are seven grades of diesel fuel oils suitable for various types of diesel engines: Grade No. 1-D S15, Grade No. 1-D S500, Grade No. 1-D S5000, Grade No. 2-D S15, Grade No. 2-D S500, Grade No. 2-D S5000, and Grade No. 4-D.
The specifications for ASTM diesel fuel include flash point, cloud point, water and sediment, carbon residue, ash, distillation, viscosity, sulfur, copper corrosion, cetane number, cetane index, aromaticity, lubricity, and conductivity.
Diesel #1 is a special-purpose fuel used for cold conditions, while Diesel #2 is general-purpose and can sustain heavy loads, providing better fuel economy.
ASTM standards include specifications for biodiesel, which is designated as B100 and produces 75% fewer emissions than conventional diesel.
