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Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. It is produced from various sources, most commonly petroleum, but also biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction. The colour of diesel fuel is controlled by regulations that dictate its intended use, tax status, and compliance with environmental standards. Diesel fuel comes in three colours: clear, red, and blue. The colours are made with dyes to mark the fuel for specific uses. Clear diesel fuel is the most common and is used for on-road vehicles, while red diesel is used for off-road vehicles and blue diesel is reserved for US government purposes. In terms of fuel code, diesel is denoted by the letter 'D'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Code | 160, 161, 167, 170, 175, 284 |
| Other Names | Diesel oil, heavy oil, petrodiesel, ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) |
| Engine Type | Diesel engine, a type of internal combustion engine |
| Fuel Ignition | No spark, compression of inlet air, injection of fuel |
| Standard | EN 590 (European Union) |
| Sources | Petroleum, biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, coal liquefaction |
| Colors | Clear, red, blue |
| Clear Diesel Use | On-road vehicles, including passenger vehicles and large trucks |
| Red Diesel Use | Off-road diesel vehicles, agricultural, construction, and non-road applications |
| Blue Diesel Use | Reserved for U.S. government purposes, including military vehicles and planes |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel sources
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil or heavy oil, is designed for use in diesel engines. Diesel engines are a type of internal combustion engine where fuel ignition occurs due to the compression of inlet air and the injection of fuel, without requiring a spark. Diesel fuel sources vary, but the most common type is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, often referred to as petrodiesel.
Petrodiesel is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil at temperatures between 200 and 350 °C, resulting in a mixture of carbon chains. This process is known as hydrodesulfurization and often requires additional diesel fuel sources to be blended in. One way to obtain these additional sources is by cracking heavier fractions using visbreaking and coking, which converts less useful fractions into the desired product.
However, with increasing environmental concerns, alternative diesel fuel sources that are not derived from petroleum are being developed and adopted. These alternatives include biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. Biodiesel, for example, can be obtained from vegetable oil, animal fats, or methanol, and is often used as a blend with petrodiesel. Synthetic diesel is another alternative, produced from various carbonaceous precursors, with natural gas being the most important. This process involves converting raw materials into synthetic gas, which is then transformed into synthetic diesel through the Fischer-Tropsch process.
The colour of diesel fuel can vary and is often used to indicate its specific use. For instance, in the United States, clear diesel fuel is typically used for on-road vehicles, while red-coloured diesel fuel is reserved for off-road diesel vehicles such as tractors, cranes, and agricultural equipment. Blue diesel fuel is exclusive to U.S. government purposes, including military vehicles and planes. These colour distinctions help regulate the sale of diesel fuel and facilitate the tracking of fuel purchases in the country.
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Diesel fuel production
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel fuel is a distillate fraction of crude oil, and its production involves distillation, conversion, and clean-up. The most common type of diesel fuel is derived from petroleum, but alternative sources such as biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction are also used.
The production of petroleum-based diesel fuel involves fractional distillation of crude oil between 200 and 350 °C at atmospheric pressure. This process results in a mixture of carbon chains containing 9 to 25 carbon atoms per molecule. The distillates obtained are heavier than kerosene and are called gasoils, which serve as the primary blending components for diesel fuel production. However, the supply and quality of straight-run diesel from this process are often insufficient, so other sources of diesel fuels are blended in. One such source is obtained by cracking heavier fractions using visbreaking and coking, which converts less useful fractions into desired products.
Synthetic diesel is another form of diesel fuel that can be produced from various carbonaceous precursors, with natural gas being the most important. In this process, raw materials are converted into synthesis gas, which is then transformed into synthetic diesel through the Fischer-Tropsch process. This synthetic diesel primarily consists of paraffins with low sulfur and aromatics content, and it is often blended into petroleum-derived diesel.
Biodiesel is another alternative diesel fuel produced from vegetable oil or animal fats (biolipids). These biolipids are typically fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which undergo transesterification with methanol to produce biodiesel. Rapeseed oil (rapeseed methyl ester, RME) and soybean oil (soy methyl ester, SME) are commonly used for biodiesel production in Europe and the US, respectively. Biodiesel can be used pure (B100) in approved engines, but it is more commonly blended with diesel in different proportions.
In terms of fuel coding, diesel fuel is assigned various codes by fuel distributors, carriers, and terminal operators for tax and regulatory purposes. For example, in the context of fuel taxation, diesel is coded as "160 - Diesel", with further codes distinguishing between "#1 Diesel" and "#2 Diesel".
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Diesel fuel colours
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for diesel engines. It is produced from various sources, most commonly petroleum, but also biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
The colour of diesel fuel can vary depending on its intended use and geographical location. In the United States, diesel fuel typically comes in three colours: clear, red, and blue. Clear diesel, also known as regular diesel, is the most common type and is used for on-road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and SUVs. It has lower sulfur content and is legally taxable. Red diesel, coloured with Solvent Red 26 or Solvent Red 164, is intended for off-road vehicles and equipment, including tractors, cranes, forklifts, planes, and boats. It has a higher sulfur content and is not taxable. Blue diesel is reserved for US government purposes, including military vehicles and planes, and is not available to the general public. It is also non-taxable. The colouring of diesel fuel helps the government regulate its sale and track fuel purchases and sales within the country.
In the United Kingdom, diesel fuel is typically stored in black containers, while unleaded petrol is stored in green containers and leaded petrol in red containers. The colours help differentiate the fuels and their intended uses.
While the colours of diesel fuel can provide information about its intended use and taxation, it is important to note that the chemical components of the different coloured diesels are the same. The dyes only add colour and do not alter the fuel's composition. Therefore, using blue or red diesel in an on-road vehicle will not damage the engine, but doing so may result in fines as these coloured diesels are intended for specific purposes and are not taxed.
Additionally, the colour of diesel fuel can provide insights into the condition of an engine. Soot, ash, and carbon can darken the fuel and, if not filtered properly, can spread throughout the engine, leading to performance issues. Regular maintenance and replacement of fuel filters are necessary to prevent clogs and ensure optimal engine performance.
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Diesel fuel standards
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. Diesel fuel is produced from various sources, with petroleum being the most common, followed by biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
In California, the California Diesel Fuel program sets stringent standards for diesel fuel specifications, including aromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur levels, as well as establishing a lubricity standard.
The color of diesel fuel can vary and is often used to indicate its specific use. For example, in the US, diesel fuel is typically stored in yellow containers, while kerosene is kept in blue containers, and gasoline in red containers. Clear diesel fuel, which is chemically identical to red diesel fuel, is designed for on-road vehicles, including passenger cars and trucks. Red diesel fuel, on the other hand, is meant for off-road diesel equipment and vehicles, such as tractors, cranes, and boats. Blue diesel fuel is reserved for US government purposes and is not intended for public use.
The use of dyes in diesel fuel helps governments monitor fuel purchases and sales, and certain colors may be associated with tax rebates or exemptions. For instance, red diesel fuel in the UK may indicate a reduced-tax agricultural product.
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Diesel fuel alternatives
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil or diesel, is a liquid fuel used in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel fuel is designed to ignite without a spark, due to the compression of inlet air and the injection of fuel. The most common type of diesel is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but alternative sources are becoming more common, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel.
There are several alternatives to standard diesel fuel that can be used in diesel engines, particularly older engines. These include:
- Vegetable oil or bio-diesel: This is a popular alternative, particularly in older engines, but it must be well-filtered to avoid engine damage. It can be produced from many types of oils, with rapeseed oil being the most common in Europe, and soybean oil in the US.
- Black diesel: Recycled motor oil can be used as an alternative to standard diesel, but it must be properly filtered and processed.
- Hydrogen: Hydrogen is a potential emissions-free alternative fuel that can be produced from renewable resources and used in fuel cell electric vehicles.
- Natural gas: This is a domestically abundant fuel that can be significantly cheaper than diesel. It is also a precursor to synthetic diesel, which is produced through the Fischer-Tropsch process.
- Renewable diesel: Also known as green diesel, this is a biomass-derived fuel that can be used in diesel engines. It is produced from fats, oils, and greases, such as soybean oil or canola oil, and is processed to be chemically identical to petroleum diesel.
- Propane: A widely used gaseous fuel that has been used in vehicles around the world for decades.
- Other sources: Diesel fuel can also be derived from biomass, animal fat, biogas, and coal liquefaction.
It is important to note that using alternative fuels in newer diesel engines can be challenging, as they have tighter clearances in the fuel systems. Additionally, the use of alternative fuels may void warranties and may not be legal for on-road use, depending on local regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel code for diesel is D.
Other fuel codes include:
- A for Alcohol
- B for Battery/Electric Vehicle
- C for Compressed Natural Gas
- E for Ethanol 85
- F for Fuel Cell
- G for Gasoline
Fuel distributors, carriers, terminal operators, and vehicle owners use fuel codes.
No, fuel codes may vary by location.
The fuel code for biodiesel is 170.
