Ameer Randolph
Diesel fuel is a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by the distillation of crude oil. It is a non-conductor with low electrical conductivity. However, low conductivity in diesel fuel can lead to the accumulation of electrical charges, resulting in a spark or fire hazard. To mitigate this risk, additives are often introduced to increase the electrical conductivity of diesel fuel, enhancing safety by preventing electrostatic discharges. This is particularly relevant for Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD), which has lower conductivity due to the sulphur removal process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of diesel fuel | Non-conductor, mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of crude oil |
| Properties | Cetane number (or cetane index), fuel volatility, density, viscosity, cold behavior, and sulfur content |
| Electrical conductivity | About 50 pS |
| Ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) conductivity | Several hundred pS m-1 |
| Bio-diesel conductivity | Higher than petro-diesel |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is a non-conductor
The conductivity of a fuel refers to its ability to dissipate static electric charge. A value of electrical conductivity of about 50 pS is required for a diesel fuel not to create a static discharge when in rapid movement. Ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD), which has become the norm in many countries since 2006, tends to have lower conductivity due to the sulphur removal process.
Low conductivity in diesel fuel can lead to the accumulation of electrical charges, which may result in a spark, posing a fire hazard. This has been a contributing factor in past petroleum depot fires. To mitigate this risk, chemicals are added at refineries to increase the conductivity of diesel fuel and enhance its safety.
Bio-diesel, for instance, is known to have higher conductivity than petro-diesel, making it safer in terms of its ability to dissipate static electricity. By raising the conductivity of diesel fuel, the risk of electrostatic discharge and subsequent combustion is reduced.
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Bio-diesel is a better conductor than petro-diesel
Biodiesel is a cleaner alternative to traditional petroleum-based diesel. It is one of the earliest biofuels and is produced through transesterification, a process that transforms oils and fats into usable engine fuel. The molecules in biodiesel and petroleum diesel are about the same size but differ in chemical structure. Biodiesel molecules consist almost entirely of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which contain unsaturated "olefin" components. On the other hand, low-sulfur petroleum diesel consists of about 95% saturated hydrocarbons and 5% aromatic compounds.
Biodiesel is a better conductor than petrodiesel. Higher conductivity in a fuel is safer because of its ability to dissipate static electricity. Low conductivity fuels can accumulate electrical charges, which may be released in the form of sparks, causing fires. In fact, low conductivity fuels have been blamed for petroleum depot fires in the past. For this reason, chemicals are added at refineries to diesel to make it more conductive.
Additionally, biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable. According to a study by the Department of Energy and Agriculture, biodiesel reduces net carbon dioxide emissions by 78%. Unlike petroleum diesel, biodiesel does not contain sulfur or carcinogenic benzene, which are regulated by state emissions boards and the EPA.
However, biodiesel causes a slightly reduced peak engine power of about 4% relative to petroleum diesel. It also tends to thicken and "gel up" at low temperatures more readily than petroleum diesel. Some fleet and commercial vehicles use B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum.
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Ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) has lower conductivity
The electrical conductivity of diesel fuel is an important consideration for safety reasons. Diesel fuel with low electrical conductivity can accumulate electrical charges, which may be released in the form of sparks, causing fires. In fact, low conductivity fuels have been blamed for past petroleum depot fires. To mitigate this risk, refineries add chemicals to diesel to increase its conductivity.
One type of diesel fuel that has gained attention in recent years is ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD). ULSD is a variant of traditional diesel fuel that has been stripped of most of its sulphur content. Since 2006, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in Europe and North America has been of the ULSD type.
The transition to ULSD was driven by regulatory actions aimed at reducing diesel fuel emissions and improving air quality. Sulphur is a major contributor to harmful emissions from diesel combustion. By reducing the sulphur content, advanced emissions control technologies can be employed, substantially lowering the release of ozone precursors and particulate matter into the atmosphere.
However, the process of reducing sulphur also impacts the fuel's lubricating properties, as sulphur can enhance lubricity when combined with certain metal alloys. This has led to the adoption of lubricity standards, such as ASTM D975, to address the potential negative effects on engine performance. Additionally, ULSD has a higher affinity for water, which can contribute to tank corrosion and microbial growth, further complicating its usage.
While ULSD has resulted in significant environmental benefits, it has also faced criticism for causing various technical issues, such as seal shrinkage and fuel pump failures in certain vehicle models. These challenges have led to the development of new fuel technologies and products to mitigate the negative side effects of ULSD. Overall, while ULSD has lower conductivity due to its reduced sulphur content, it remains a widely used fuel type, particularly in regions with stringent emissions regulations.
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Additives can increase ULSD conductivity
Diesel fuel is not a very good conductor of electricity. Low conductivity in fuel can be dangerous as it allows electrical charges to accumulate, which may then be released as sparks, causing fires or explosions. For this reason, refineries add chemicals to diesel to make it more conductive and safer.
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is a type of diesel fuel that has had its sulfur content reduced to a maximum of 15 parts per million, which helps to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality. However, this process of removing sulfur also lowers the fuel's conductivity. As a result, ULSD is more susceptible to static electricity discharge, which can create safety concerns during transport and storage due to the potential presence of flammable vapors.
To address this issue, conductivity-improving additives can be used to increase the conductivity of ULSD. These additives help meet static-discharge reduction requirements and minimize the risk of explosion from static discharge. They are particularly important for ULSD as its low conductivity can pose safety hazards during transport and storage.
In addition to improving conductivity, additives can also enhance the lubricity of ULSD. Sulfur removal processes can reduce the fuel's lubricity, causing issues for fuel professionals in colder climates as the fuel becomes more prone to gelling in cold weather. Lubricity treatments added to ULSD at the refinery level help address this problem and ensure the fuel meets the required specifications.
Furthermore, ULSD is more susceptible to microbial growth compared to traditional diesel. To mitigate this issue, regular biocide treatments of fuel tanks are recommended. By proactively treating the fuel with biocides, it is more cost-effective and easier to prevent microbial growth than trying to eradicate it after it has established. Overall, the use of additives is essential for ULSD to meet legal specifications and minimize problems during storage and equipment operation.
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Low conductivity fuels are more dangerous
The electrical conductivity of diesel fuel is a crucial factor in ensuring safety during transportation, storage, and usage. Jet fuel, for instance, has very low natural electrical conductivity, typically measuring less than 5 pS/m. This low conductivity poses significant dangers due to the potential accumulation of electrostatic charge.
When jet fuel is pumped at high speeds or undergoes microfiltration, it can lead to a dangerous buildup of electrostatic charge within storage tanks. This accumulation occurs regardless of whether the container is earthed, as the charge dissipation within the tank remains unaffected. Consequently, there is a heightened risk of electrostatic discharge inside the tank.
Low conductivity fuels, such as jet fuel, are more susceptible to electrostatic charge accumulation, which can readily cause fires or explosions. This phenomenon has been associated with petroleum depot fires in the past. The addition of conductivity improver additives is a common strategy to mitigate this issue. These additives, such as Shell ASA-3 and DuPont STADIS 450, enhance the electrical conductivity of the fuel, thereby reducing the risk of electrostatic discharge.
However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of conductivity improvers can vary among different fuels due to interactions with other fuel additives or contaminants. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and time also influence the electrical conductivity of fuel. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between fuel conductivity and these influencing factors is essential for ensuring the safe storage, transportation, and handling of low conductivity fuels.
To summarize, low conductivity fuels like jet fuel are more dangerous due to their propensity for electrostatic charge buildup, which can lead to fires or explosions. Addressing this issue involves utilizing conductivity improvers and gaining a deeper understanding of the factors impacting fuel conductivity to implement effective preventative measures.
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Frequently asked questions
No, diesel fuel is a non-conductor. It is a hydrocarbon obtained by the distillation of crude oil.
The conductivity of fuel is important as it determines the fuel's ability to dissipate static electric charge. A value of the electrical conductivity of about 50 pS is required for diesel fuel not to create a static discharge when in rapid movement.
Low conductivity fuels can accumulate electrical charges, which may dissipate in the form of a spark, leading to a fire hazard. Higher conductivity in a fuel is safer because of its ability to dissipate static electricity.
The electrical conductivity of diesel fuel can be increased by adding particular additives, which can raise the conductivity of ULSD to several hundred pS m-1.
