Rajan Wilcox
Standard diesel fuel is a type of fuel specifically designed for diesel engines. Diesel fuel is standardised to ensure consistent quality, with the first standards introduced after World War II. The standard defines certain properties of the fuel, such as cetane number, density, flashpoint, sulphur content, and biodiesel content. The principal measure of diesel fuel quality is its cetane number, which indicates how readily the fuel ignites when sprayed into hot compressed air. Diesel fuel is widely used in the trucking industry due to its efficiency for larger vehicles and is closely regulated by organisations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet strict guidelines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Standard name | Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) |
| Standard number | EN 590 |
| Sulphur content | Low |
| Cetane number | Minimum of 51 |
| Biodiesel content | Up to 7% by volume |
| Common name | Diesel |
| Colour of container in the UK | Black |
| Colour of container in the US | Yellow |
| Additives | Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), antifoaming agents (silicones), antioxidants (hindered phenols), and "metal deactivating agents" (salicylaldimines) |
| Grades | #1, #2, #4 |
| Common use | Heavy trucks |
| Alternative use | Non-diesel engines, e.g. Akroyd engine, Stirling engine, boilers for steam engines |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel standards and grades
Diesel fuel is standardised in many countries. Standardisation ensures consistent quality and defines certain properties of the fuel, such as cetane number, density, flashpoint, sulphur content, and biodiesel content.
Diesel Fuel Standards
In the European Union, the standard for diesel fuel is EN 590, which defines the properties that diesel fuel must meet to be used in automobiles. This standard is also used in some other European countries. The EN 590 standard replaced the DIN 51601 standard in 1993.
In the United Kingdom, the British Standard (BS) 2869 is the specification for fuel oil and gas oil used in heating applications and agricultural machinery. This standard has four grades:
- Grade A2 Gas Oil, referring to diesel fuel for off-road engines and machinery
- Grade D Gas Oil, which is diesel fuel for heating applications and older power generators
- Grade C1 Kerosene, premium-grade kerosene for home heating
- Grade C2 Kerosene, regular kerosene for home heating applications
In the United States, diesel fuel quality was historically specified by the ASTM D975 standard. While ASTM standards are not federally mandated, many states require fuels to meet these standards. With the growing importance of alternative diesel fuels, standards have been developed for biodiesel fuels and their blends, including ASTM D6751 and ASTM D7467.
In California, additional fuel properties are regulated, including API gravity, lubricity, polycyclic aromatics, nitrogen, and cetane number. California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) places unique requirements on the renewable content of diesel fuel.
Diesel Fuel Grades
Diesel fuel grades vary by region and are influenced by environmental regulations, vehicle type, and driving conditions.
In Europe, the EN 590 standard for diesel fuel is designated to have a bio content of up to 7% by volume, usually in the form of FAME biodiesel. This grade of diesel is marked with a red dye when designated for on-road or off-road use, reflecting a lower duty rate.
In the United Kingdom, Grade A2 Gas Oil, which is used in off-road engines and machinery, typically meets the EN 590 specifications unless a lower cetane number or FAME-free content is required. Grade D Gas Oil, also known as red diesel, is used in legacy machinery, boilers, and other equipment.
In the United States, diesel fuel grades include:
- Biodiesel blends (B100)
- Biodiesel fuel blends with 6-20% biodiesel
- Diesel fuel with up to 5% biodiesel
Additionally, Grade 4-D fuel, also known as marine diesel, is used in low-speed, high-load engines and stationary or off-road equipment. It has a lower cetane rating, pour point, and cloud point.
Using the correct diesel fuel grade is crucial for optimal engine performance, emissions reduction, and compliance with environmental standards.
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Sulphur content
In Europe, the standard for diesel fuel is EN 590, which defines a low sulphur content diesel specification. This standard is designed for diesel fuel used in automobiles and has been in use since 1993. The EN 590 standard exceeds the BS 2869 standard, which is the UK's fuel oil and gas oil specification for heating applications and agricultural machinery. Grade A2 Gas Oil, a diesel fuel for off-road engines and machinery, has a low sulphur content of 10 ppm and complies with the EN 590 standard.
Since 2011, off-road fuel for mobile machinery in the EU must comply with ULSD regulations, limiting sulphur content to 10 ppm. This regulation is in line with the EN 590 standard, which has influenced the design of diesel engines in Europe. Diesel fuel standards also specify the inclusion of biodiesel content, with EN 590 diesel designated to have up to 7% biodiesel by volume.
Diesel fuel grades such as #1 and #2 also impact the sulphur content of the fuel. #1 diesel is more expensive and contains added lubricants, detergents, and a higher cetane rating, making it suitable for cold conditions. In contrast, #2 diesel is the standard fuel grade offering better accessibility and fuel economy.
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Biodiesel content
Biodiesel, an alternative fuel source, is a key component of standard diesel fuel. It is typically used as a mix with diesel, represented as BXX, where XX is the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. Pure biodiesel (B100) can also be used in engines where the manufacturer approves its use.
In the United States, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels. This means diesel importers must use a specific volume of biodiesel based on a percentage of their petroleum product sales. The ASTM D975 standard historically specified the quality of diesel fuels in the US, and with the growing importance of alternative diesel fuels, standards have also been developed for biodiesel blends. ASTM standards related to biodiesel include D6751, which covers six grades of biodiesel (B100) for use as a blend component with middle distillate fuels, D7467, which covers three fuel blend grades of 6% to 20% biodiesel, and D975, which allows up to 5% biodiesel.
In Europe, the standard for diesel fuel is EN 590, which includes a biodiesel content of up to 7% by volume, usually in the form of FAME biodiesel. FAME is an additive that improves the cold flow properties of diesel, preventing the crystallisation of waxes that can block fuel filters. However, in certain applications such as agriculture during cold months, FAME-free diesel is beneficial to avoid filter blockage due to thickening of the fuel at low temperatures.
The British Standard (BS) 2869 is the UK's fuel specification for heating applications and agricultural machinery, and it includes four grades of diesel fuel. Grade A2 Gas Oil, or red diesel, is low in sulphur content (10 ppm) and is commonly used for off-road engines and machinery. Grade D Gas Oil, or red diesel, is used for heating applications and older power generators. The distinction between A2 Grade and white diesel lies in their cetane and bio (FAME) content.
Overall, the biodiesel content of standard diesel fuel varies depending on the region and specific fuel standards, with different grades of diesel fuel blends containing varying percentages of biodiesel.
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Cetane number
The CN is an important factor in determining diesel fuel quality, but it's not the only one. Other measurements include energy content, density, lubricity, cold-flow properties, and sulfur content. Generally, diesel engines perform well with a CN between 48 and 50, and higher-speed engines operate more effectively with higher CN fuels.
The minimum CN requirements vary across regions. In Europe, the standard EN 590 sets a minimum CN of 51, while in North America, most states follow ASTM D975, with a minimum CN of 40. California diesel fuel has a minimum CN of 53, and premium diesel fuels can have CNs as high as 60 or even 70.
The use of cetane improvers and additives can enhance the CN of diesel fuel, improving its combustion efficiency and performance, particularly in high-performance engines. However, the diesel cetane value is typically not published at the pump, so diesel vehicle owners may not be aware of the specific CN their vehicles require.
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ASTM standards
- Grade No. 1-D S15
- Grade No. 1-D S500
- Grade No. 1-D S5000
- Grade No. 2-D S15
- Grade No. 2-D S500
- Grade No. 2-D S5000
- Grade No. 4-D
The requirements for these diesel fuel oils are determined by several test methods, including flash point, cloud point, water and sediment, carbon residue, ash, distillation, viscosity, sulfur, copper corrosion, cetane number, cetane index, aromaticity, lubricity, and conductivity. ASTM standards also cover biodiesel fuels and their blends, such as D6751, which covers six grades of biodiesel for use as a blend component with middle distillate fuels, and D975, which allows up to 5% biodiesel.
In addition to the ASTM standards, there are also other diesel fuel standards such as the European EN 590 standard, which has been used in the European Union since 1993 and specifies the properties of diesel fuel for use in automobiles, including a minimum cetane number of 51. Another example is the British Standard (BS) 2869, which is the UK's fuel oil and gas oil specification for heating applications and agricultural machinery.
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Frequently asked questions
Standard diesel fuel refers to diesel fuel that meets certain specifications and standards. These standards are set by organisations like ASTM, which outlines specifications for diesel fuel grades in the US, and the EU, which has set the EN 590 standard for diesel fuel in the European Union.
Standard diesel fuel has certain properties, including cetane number, density, flash point, sulphur content, and biodiesel content. The principal measure of diesel fuel quality is its cetane number, which indicates how readily the fuel ignites when sprayed into hot compressed air. Sulphur content is also important, with Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) being a common standard.
There are various grades of standard diesel fuel, including Diesel #1 and Diesel #2. Diesel #2 is general-purpose and suitable for heavy loads, while Diesel #1 is more volatile and used for special purposes, such as cold conditions. Other grades include #4 diesel fuel, which is for low or medium-speed engine builds.
