Ameer Randolph
Diesel fuel is classified into 1D, 2D, and 4D, with 4D being used for low-speed, stationary units and not suitable for mobile equipment. The pour point of diesel fuel, or the lowest temperature at which it will flow, is an important factor in its performance, especially in cold weather. Winter diesel fuel, also known as alpine diesel or winterised diesel, is treated with additives to prevent gelling in cold weather, which occurs when wax particles solidify and clog fuel filters and injectors. The cloud point, or the temperature at which crystals form and the diesel becomes cloudy, is another important measure of diesel fuel's low-temperature operability. The cetane number, which measures the fuel's combustibility, is also crucial, with higher numbers indicating easier ignition and better engine performance. The ideal temperature for diesel fuel is typically between 100-125°F, as higher temperatures can impact ignition and efficiency.
Characteristics and Values of Diesel Fuel Temperature Rated 4
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Fuel | 4D fuel |
| Usage | Low-speed, stationary units |
| Cetane Number | 45 or higher |
| Pour Point | Lowest temperature at which a liquid will flow |
| Viscosity | Measure of the fuel's internal friction or its ability to flow |
| Cloud Point | Temperature at which crystal formation starts in diesel fuel |
| Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) | Standardized test indicating the rate at which diesel fuel flows through a filtration device when cooled |
| Lubricity | Minimum amount required to avoid excessive wear on moving parts |
| Sulphur Content | Less than 0.001% by mass (as legislated in Canada) |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel viscosity
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. The most common type of diesel fuel is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but alternative types that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are also available. Diesel fuel typically contains 8 to 21 carbon atoms per molecule and is obtained through crude oil distillation.
The viscosity of diesel fuel, or its resistance to flow, is an important parameter for its quality and performance. The viscosity requirement for diesel fuel is typically specified at 40 °C. As the temperature decreases, the viscosity of diesel fuel increases, which can cause issues with fuel pumps and injection systems. At extremely low temperatures, diesel fuel can gel and become unable to flow in fuel systems. This is why special low-temperature diesel contains additives to keep it liquid at lower temperatures.
The viscosity of diesel fuel also impacts the fuel delivery rate and atomization during injection. If the viscosity is too high, it can lead to damage in the fuel pump due to higher pressure. Conversely, if the viscosity is too low, it may result in insufficient lubrication for the moving parts of the fuel injection system.
The classification of diesel fuel grades, such as 1D, 2D, and 4D, is based on factors such as viscosity, pour point, and cetane number. 1D fuel is designed for cold weather operation and has a lower viscosity and pour point. On the other hand, 2D fuel is used in warmer weather and has a higher viscosity, providing better lubrication for fuel injection systems. 4D fuel is typically used in low-speed, stationary units and is not suitable for most mobile equipment.
Biodiesel, an alternative to petroleum diesel, is derived from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oils, rapeseed oil, animal fat, or soybean oil. It can also be obtained from vegetable oil or animal fats, resulting in fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Mixtures of biodiesel and petroleum diesel are named as BXX, where XX represents the percentage of biodiesel in the blend.
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Pour point
The pour point of a liquid is the temperature below which it loses its ability to flow. In other words, it is the minimum temperature at which a liquid will flow. For diesel fuel, the pour point is an important characteristic as it determines its suitability for different types of equipment and weather conditions.
Diesel fuels are classified as 1D, 2D, and 4D, with 4D fuels being used in low-speed, stationary units. 1D and 2D fuels are used in on-highway and mobile equipment, with 1D fuels designed for cold weather operation and 2D fuels for warmer weather. The pour point of 1D fuel is lower than that of 2D fuel, making it more suitable for cold temperatures.
The pour point of a liquid can be determined through manual and automatic test methods. The ASTM D97 manual test method involves cooling a specimen inside a cooling bath to allow the formation of paraffin wax crystals. The test jar is then tilted to check for surface movement at intervals of either 1 °C or 3 °C. If the specimen does not flow, the jar is held horizontally for 5 seconds. If it still does not flow, the corresponding temperature plus 3 °C is recorded as the pour point temperature.
The ASTM D5949 automatic test method uses a Peltier device to heat and cool the test sample at a rate of 1.5±0.1 °C/min. This method is faster and more repeatable than the manual method, and it does not require an external chiller bath or refrigeration unit. The pour point is determined by imparting a pressurized pulse of compressed gas onto the surface of the sample and monitoring it with optical detectors. The lowest temperature at which movement is detected is considered the pour point.
The pour point of diesel fuel can vary depending on its composition and other factors. It is an important factor in selecting the appropriate fuel for different applications, as it can impact the fuel's ability to flow and perform at low temperatures.
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Cetane number
The CN is a measure of a fuel's ignition delay, the time period between the start of injection and the first identifiable pressure increase during combustion of the fuel. In a particular diesel engine, higher cetane fuels will have shorter ignition delay periods than lower cetane fuels. The higher the CN, the better the fuel burns within the engine of a vehicle. A higher CN means the time between when the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber and when the fuel ignites is minimized. This means the fuel has the ability to ignite more easily and readily due to compression. This shorter delay time results in more complete fuel combustion.
The CN is defined by finding a blend of cetane and isocetane with the same ignition delay. Cetane has a cetane number of 100, while isocetane's measured cetane number is 15. Once the blend is known, the CN is calculated as a volume-weighted average, rounded to the nearest whole number, of cetane's 100 and isocetane's 15. The CN scale is based on the ignition characteristics of two hydrocarbons: n-hexadecane (cetane) and 2,3,4,5,6,7,8-heptamethylnonane.
The CN is the most significant property of diesel fuels affecting engine performance and emissions. The CN varies with hydrocarbon types present in diesel fuels. Normal paraffins have high CNs that increase with carbon number. Isoparaffins have a wide range of CNs, from about 10 to 80. Aromatics have CNs ranging from zero to 60.
There are several methods for measuring the CN of diesel fuel. One widely used method is based on the calculated Cetane Index formula, which represents a method for estimating the CN of distillate fuels from API gravity and mid-boiling point (ASTM D976). Another method is the Ignition Quality Tester (IQT), which involves injecting fuel into a constant volume combustion chamber at approximately 575 °C and 310 psi (21 bar). The time between the start of injection and the recovery of the combustion chamber pressure to 310 psi (21 bar) is defined as the ignition delay. This measured ignition delay is then used to calculate the derived CN of the fuel.
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Flash point
The flash point of a fuel is an important characteristic that helps to assess the fire hazard during storage, transportation, and usage. It is also used to determine the appropriate firefighting methods and equipment in the event of a fire. Diesel fuel typically has a higher flash point than gasoline, ranging between 52 and 96 °C (126 to 205 °F), with some sources stating a slightly lower upper limit of 93 °C (200 °F). This is significantly higher than the flashpoint of gasoline, which is typically around -43 °C (-45 °F).
The higher flash point of diesel contributes to its lower volatility compared to gasoline. This means that diesel cannot ignite until the temperature reaches its flash point, making it less prone to ignition under normal storage and handling conditions. As a result, diesel is often considered safer to transport and store than more volatile fuels. Industries that rely on diesel fuel, such as transportation and heavy machinery, benefit from its higher flash point as it allows for safer handling practices.
The flash point of a fuel is an empirical measurement that can vary depending on the equipment and test protocol used. For example, the Cleveland open cup (COC) and Pensky-Martens closed cup methods are commonly used to measure flash points. The measured flash point can also vary with the height of the flame above the liquid surface, with closed cup testers typically giving lower values than open cup testers. It is important to note that the flash point is different from the autoignition temperature, which is the minimum temperature at which a substance will spontaneously ignite without an external ignition source.
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Cloud point
The cloud point is the temperature just above where the wax crystals first appear. To test for cloud point, a sample is poured into a test jar and closed with a cork carrying a test thermometer. The sample is then placed in a constant temperature cooling bath and inspected at every 1°C reduction in temperature for signs of cloudiness. Successively lower temperature cooling baths may be used, depending on the cloud point.
The cloud point of diesel fuel can be measured using traditional laboratory methods, which are optical in nature, but these methods require the fuel to be cooled for the wax formation to occur. A more efficient method is Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy instrumentation, which can measure compositional changes in the fuel that are directly related to wax formation and cloud point. This method can be applied without fuel cooling, in real-time, and does not require laboratory sample collection.
In the context of diesel fuel grades, 1D fuel is used in cold weather operation and has a lower pour point, while 2D fuel is used in warmer weather and has a higher pour point. The pour point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid will flow, so it is an important consideration for diesel fuel performance in different temperature conditions.
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