Sylvie Willis
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are internal combustion engines that use compressed air and fuel injection for ignition. The most common type of diesel fuel is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but alternative types, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are becoming more popular. The quality of diesel fuel is primarily determined by its cetane number, which measures the delay of ignition. Diesel fuel is typically stored in yellow containers in the US and black containers in the UK. In terms of supply, the US, for example, produces and consumes most of its diesel fuel, with the majority being ultra-low-sulfur distillate (ULSD) diesel. However, the US also imports diesel, with Canada being the largest supplier, followed by Saudi Arabia and Mexico. The US has emergency stockpiles and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to ensure diesel availability during crises and supply disruptions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Principal measure of quality | Cetane number |
| Common type | Specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil |
| Alternatives | Biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), gas-to-liquid (GTL) |
| Standard in the European Union | EN 590 |
| Minimum cetane number in Europe | 51 |
| Carbon composition | 86.1% |
| Density of EN 590 diesel fuel | 0.820 to 0.845 kg/L at 15 °C |
| Sulfur content | 15 parts per million or less |
| Colloquial names | Diesel oil, heavy oil |
| Crude oil sources in the US | Texas, North Dakota, Alaska |
| International sources of diesel imports | Canada, Saudi Arabia, Mexico |
| US diesel imports in 2022 | 200,000 barrels per day |
| US diesel production in 2022 | 1.75 billion barrels (73.46 billion gallons) of ULSD |
| US diesel consumption in 2022 | 1.44 billion barrels (60.30 billion gallons) of ULSD |
| US diesel imports in 2022 | 0.07 billion barrels (2.80 billion gallons) of ULSD |
| US diesel import sources in 2022 | 72% from Canada |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel quality
The principal measure of diesel fuel quality is its cetane number, which describes the fuel's ignition quality. A higher cetane number indicates that the fuel ignites more readily and burns more thoroughly, boosting engine performance. Pure cetane has a cetane number of 100. However, the cetane number is not the only factor that determines fuel quality. Contaminants, additives, and other properties also play a role in determining fuel quality levels.
Several different fuel quality standards apply throughout the United States, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), federal government, and state governments set regulations that fuel producers must comply with. Diesel fuel is subject to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D975 standard specifications, which describe 13 tests and their acceptable limits. The EPA, for example, restricts how much sulfur diesel fuel can contain.
The availability of fuel grades varies by region, and it is essential to consider the recommended grade's accessibility in your area. In the United States, most diesel fuel consumed is ultra-low-sulfur distillate (ULSD) with a sulfur content of 15 parts per million or less. As of 2016, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, and North America was of the ULSD type.
Using the wrong diesel fuel grade can have detrimental effects, including reduced engine lifespan, increased emissions, higher fuel consumption, and increased operating costs due to incomplete combustion. Therefore, it is crucial to select the right diesel fuel grade and follow manufacturer recommendations to ensure compatibility and adhere to environmental regulations.
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Diesel fuel sources
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. Diesel engines are a type of internal combustion engine in which fuel ignition occurs without a spark due to the compression of inlet air and the subsequent injection of fuel. Thus, diesel fuel requires good compression ignition characteristics.
The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, which is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil at temperatures between 200 and 350 °C (392 and 662 °F) at atmospheric pressure. This process yields a mixture of carbon chains typically containing 9 to 25 carbon atoms per molecule. However, alternatives that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are gaining traction and adoption. These alternative sources of diesel fuel include biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
In the United States, diesel fuel is primarily produced and consumed from the refinement of crude oil at petroleum refineries. U.S. refineries produce an average of 11 to 12 gallons of diesel fuel from each 42-gallon barrel of crude oil. The majority of diesel fuel consumed in the U.S. is ultra-low-sulfur distillate (ULSD) or ultra-low-sulfur diesel, which has a significantly reduced sulfur content compared to traditional diesel. As of 2022, U.S. refineries produced about 1.75 billion barrels (73.46 billion gallons) of ULSD, with a total consumption of about 1.44 billion barrels (60.30 billion gallons).
In the United Kingdom, diesel fuel for road use is commonly referred to as diesel or white diesel, the latter being used to differentiate it from a reduced-tax agricultural product. Before diesel fuel standardisation, diesel engines typically operated on inexpensive fuel oils, which were distilled from petroleum in the United States and coal-tar creosote oil in Europe. Diesel fuel is now standardised in many countries, including the European Union, where the standard for diesel fuel is EN 590.
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Diesel fuel extraction
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. These are internal combustion engines that ignite without a spark, due to the compression of inlet air and the injection of fuel. Diesel fuel is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but alternatives that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are becoming more common.
The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, which is produced in large quantities by oil refineries. Diesel fuel and other petroleum products are transported through shared pipelines in batches, which can lead to some mixing of the products. This means that the quality of the diesel fuel must be tested to ensure it meets the required specifications.
To improve the quality of diesel fuel and remove pollutants, an oxidative-desulfurization (ODS) process can be used. This process involves two stages: oxidation using H2O2 and acetic acid, followed by solvent extraction with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), which can dissolve sulfur and aromatic compounds. This process can remove up to 98.6% of sulfur compounds in diesel fuel.
Another process that contributes to diesel fuel production is hydrocracking, where kerosene is added to modify its viscosity. Synthetic diesel can be produced from carbonaceous precursors, especially natural gas. This involves converting raw materials to synthesis gas, which is then converted to synthetic diesel using the Fischer-Tropsch process. Biodiesel, which is increasingly being used, is obtained from vegetable oil or animal fats (biolipids), which are mainly fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). These are transesterified with methanol to produce biodiesel and undesirable byproducts like glycerine and water, which are removed from the fuel.
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Diesel fuel distribution
Once extracted, the crude oil is transported to refineries, where it undergoes a refining process to produce diesel fuel. This process involves distillation, where the crude oil is heated and separated into different components based on their boiling points. Diesel, being a mid-range product, is collected and further processed to remove impurities. The refined diesel is then ready for distribution.
The distribution of diesel fuel in the US is primarily facilitated through pipelines, such as the Colonial Pipeline and the Keystone Pipeline. These pipelines transport diesel over long distances, from refineries to regional distribution hubs. Railroads and trucking companies also play a crucial role, especially in delivering diesel to remote areas or regions not directly served by pipelines. The flexibility of trucks and the capacity of railroads to transport large quantities over long distances ensure a steady and reliable flow of diesel across the country.
To ensure the quality of the diesel fuel, testing is conducted as it enters and leaves the pipelines. This is due to the possibility of mixing with other petroleum products, such as gasoline, that are transported through shared pipelines. If the diesel fuel fails to meet local, state, or federal specifications, it may be returned to the refinery for further processing or sold as a different product.
In addition to domestic production, the US also imports diesel fuel from international sources to meet its demand. Canada is the largest supplier, followed by Saudi Arabia and Mexico. These imports are crucial in maintaining supply levels and are distributed across the country through pipelines and trucks.
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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, which are internal combustion engines that ignite fuel without a spark plug through air compression and fuel injection. The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but non-petroleum-based alternatives such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel are becoming more common.
In the European Union, the standard for diesel fuel is EN 590, with a minimum cetane number of 51. The cetane number measures the delay of ignition of diesel fuel, with higher numbers indicating easier ignition. Fuels with higher cetane numbers, often marketed as "premium" diesel, may contain additional cleaning agents and synthetic content.
To ensure diesel fuel meets the required standards, quality testing is necessary, especially when diesel fuel is transported through shared pipelines where mixing with other products can occur. When diesel fuel fails to meet specifications, it may be reprocessed at refineries or sold as different products.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine, which is a type of internal combustion engine.
Diesel fuel is derived from the fractional distillation of crude oil. It is a mixture of hydrocarbons with carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C9-C20.
Diesel fuel is transported to consumers by pipeline, ship, train, and truck.
In the US, diesel fuel standards are regulated by the EPA. Since 2010, diesel fuel may contain up to 15 ppm sulfur, known as ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
Biodiesel is a diesel fuel that is not derived from petroleum. It can be used pure (B100) in engines where the manufacturer allows it and is often blended with diesel fuel.
