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Diesel fuel, also known simply as diesel, is a liquid fuel used in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. In Australia, diesel fuel is known as distillate. The colour of diesel varies depending on its source and composition. For example, biodiesel or green diesel may be faintly green, while red diesel is typically used to indicate untaxed fuel. Diesel colour can also vary by batch and type, and between summer and winter diesel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Diesel, distillate, gas oil, heavy oil, diesel oil, DERV (Diesel-engine road vehicle) |
| Origin | Diesel fuel originated from experiments conducted by German scientist and inventor Rudolf Diesel for his compression-ignition engine which he invented around 1892 |
| Sources | Petroleum, biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction |
| Production process | Fractional distillation of crude oil at temperatures between 200 and 350 °C (392 and 662 °F) at atmospheric pressure |
| Composition | Mixture of carbon chains containing between 9 and 25 carbon atoms per molecule |
| Colour | Varies, but often has a light to semi-dark tan colour. Can also be green, brown, yellow, or clear like water |
| Density | Higher density compared to fuels like gasoline and kerosene, making it less flammable but still highly combustible under pressure |
| Use | Designed for diesel engines, commonly found in trucks, ships, and generators |
| Pricing | Priced higher than petrol in some parts of the world due to factors such as refinery shutdowns and a transition to ultra-low-sulfur diesel |
| Standards | Environmental and operability standards set by the Australian government, regulated by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is colour-coded
The primary purpose of colouring diesel fuel is to indicate its tax status and differentiate it from untaxed fuels, such as off-road diesel. By law, these untaxed fuels must be coloured, typically red, to signify that they are not subject to typical road taxes. Diesel fuel that is not dyed is meant for vehicles used on the road, such as cars, vans, and transport trucks. The colour of the dye does not change the fuel's fundamental properties, and red diesel, for example, has the same chemical composition as regular diesel, except for the difference in fuel taxes.
The colour of diesel can vary depending on its source and manufacturing batch. Petroleum diesel, the most common type, is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil, resulting in a mixture of carbon chains. Other sources of diesel fuel include biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction. Biodiesel, which is derived from vegetable oil or animal fats, can be used as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based diesel and is sometimes marketed as "green diesel".
In Australia, diesel fuel is known as distillate, and its quality is regulated by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population, and Communities. The country has environmental and operability standards for diesel fuels, with key regulatory instruments being the Fuel Quality Standards Act (2000) and the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations (2001). While the exact colour of diesel fuel in Australia may vary, the colouring serves an important purpose in indicating the fuel's intended use and tax status.
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$105.99
Coloured diesel indicates tax status
The colour of diesel fuel is not just for show. It is an essential component of the fuel's identity and is used to enforce regulatory, practical, and safety considerations in the supply chain and use of diesel. The primary purpose of colouring diesel is to indicate its tax status and differentiate it from untaxed fuels. For example, in the United Kingdom, diesel fuel for road use is commonly called "white diesel" to differentiate it from a reduced-tax agricultural product known as "red diesel".
In Australia, diesel fuel is known as distillate, and its quality is regulated by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population, and Communities. The department maintains information related to fuel quality, including diesel, on its website. While the colour of diesel in Australia is not explicitly mentioned, it likely follows a similar colour-coding system to indicate tax status as in other countries.
The colour of diesel can vary depending on its source and composition. Diesel is typically derived from petroleum, but alternative sources such as biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction are also used. The most common type of diesel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel are becoming increasingly common.
The colour of diesel can also be influenced by regional variations and seasonal changes. For example, diesel colour may vary by batch, type, and supplier, and there may be different grades for winter and summer use.
Additionally, the colour of diesel can be used for marketing and consumer education. For instance, green diesel is used in some parts of the world as a biodiesel or road fuel, with the green colour signifying its eco-friendly nature. It is important to note that while the colour of diesel fuel can provide useful information about its tax status and environmental impact, it does not change the fuel's fundamental properties or composition.
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Diesel colour varies by batch and type
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. It is derived from various sources, most commonly petroleum, but also biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction. The colour of diesel fuel is not just for show; it indicates the fuel's tax status and differentiates it from untaxed fuels for off-road use. By law, these untaxed fuels must be dyed, typically in red, to signify that they are exempt from road taxes.
In Australia, diesel fuel is known as distillate, and its quality is regulated by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The colour of diesel fuel varies by batch and type, and it can range from light to semi-dark tan, to green, brown, or honey-coloured. In some parts of the world, green diesel is used as biodiesel or road fuel, often with a faint colour to signify its eco-friendly nature.
The colour of diesel can also differ based on location and season. For example, one user reported that diesel in Victoria, Australia, looked like "watered-down highlighter pen colour", while diesel in New South Wales was "clean and clear". Another user noted that diesel can vary between summer and winter diesel, which may result in different colours from the same supplier.
The colour of diesel can also be an indicator of its quality. Good diesel should look like a light beer, not dark like a heavy beer. Old diesel may also change its smell, but it will still burn fine, unlike old petrol.
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Diesel is a distillate of petroleum fuel oil
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel fuel is produced from various sources, the most common being petroleum. Diesel is a distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but it can also be derived from other sources such as biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction. Petroleum diesel is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil between 200 and 350 °C at atmospheric pressure. This process results in a mixture of carbon chains that typically contain between 9 and 25 carbon atoms per molecule. The fraction is then subjected to hydrodesulfurization to remove sulfur, which can contribute to higher costs and air pollution emissions.
In many countries, diesel fuel is standardized to meet specific requirements. For example, in the European Union, the standard for diesel fuel is EN 590. Before standardization, diesel engines typically ran on cheap fuel oils, such as distilled petroleum in the United States and coal-tar creosote oil in Europe. The introduction of motor-vehicle diesel engines in the 1930s led to the need for higher-quality fuels with proper ignition characteristics. After World War II, the first modern high-quality diesel fuels were standardized, such as the DIN 51601 standard.
The color of diesel fuel can vary depending on the manufacturer, batch, and type. In some countries, diesel fuel may be dyed to differentiate it from other types of fuel. For example, in the United Kingdom, diesel fuel for road use is sometimes called "white diesel" to distinguish it from "red diesel," which is used for agricultural purposes. In Australia, diesel fuel is known as "distillate," but this term can be confusing as it historically referred to a different motor fuel. The color of diesel in Australia may vary, with some reporting it as light to semi-dark tan, green, brown, or clear.
There are also alternative types of diesel fuel that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. These alternatives are becoming increasingly common and adopted. Biodiesel, for example, can be produced from vegetable oil or animal fats and is commonly made from rapeseed oil in Europe and soybean oil in the United States. Synthetic diesel can be produced from various carbonaceous precursors, with natural gas being the most important. These synthetic diesels are often blended into petroleum-derived diesel to improve their characteristics.
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Diesel is a lubricant in engines
In Australia, diesel fuel is known as distillate, a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil. It is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are internal combustion engines that use fuel ignition without a spark. Instead, diesel engines compress inlet air and then inject the fuel. Diesel fuel is derived from crude oil and is denser than other fuels like gasoline and kerosene. This lower volatility makes diesel less flammable and highly combustible under pressure.
Diesel serves as a lubricant in engines, and its colour can indicate its quality and specific use. Clear diesel fuel, for instance, is designed for on-road vehicles like cars, vans, trucks, and buses. It is the most common type of diesel obtained at local gas stations. The colour of clear diesel signifies that it is subject to federal excise tax.
Dyed diesel, on the other hand, is used in off-road machinery and equipment, such as tractors, cranes, forklifts, and boats. This type of diesel is typically coloured red to indicate its tax-exempt status. Using red diesel in on-road vehicles can result in fines for evading road taxes. The colour of diesel fuel is, therefore, an essential component of its identity and regulatory considerations.
In some regions, diesel may also be coloured blue or green. Blue diesel is reserved for government purposes, including military vehicles and planes, and is not intended for public use. Green diesel, meanwhile, is used as a biodiesel or road fuel in some parts of the world, often with a faint colour to indicate its eco-friendly nature.
The colour of diesel fuel is not merely decorative but serves functional and regulatory purposes. It helps governments monitor fuel sales and taxes, ensuring funds are directed towards transportation projects and road maintenance. Additionally, the colour of diesel can provide insights into the condition of an engine, as soot, ash, and carbon can darken the fuel and impact engine performance.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel in Australia is known as distillate, and its colour varies depending on the batch and type. It is typically dyed red to indicate its tax status and differentiate it from untaxed fuels.
The primary purpose of colouring diesel fuel red is to indicate its tax status and differentiate it from untaxed fuels, which are typically dyed red.
Yes, diesel fuel can also be found in colours such as green, yellow, and brown. The colour of the diesel fuel is not just for show but is used to indicate its type and composition. For example, green diesel is often used as a biodiesel or road fuel, while yellow diesel may indicate a bright bio-diesel.
Diesel fuel is derived from various sources, the most common being petroleum. Other sources include biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
