Regan Brown
Diesel fuel is a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of crude oil. It is commonly used in motor vehicles with compression ignition engines, such as heavy trucks, freight and delivery trucks, trains, buses, boats, and construction vehicles. Diesel fuel can be refined from crude oil or biomass materials, with most diesel fuel produced and consumed in the United States being refined from crude oil. The quality of diesel fuel can vary, and there are programmes available to improve fuel quality, such as the K KUBE system. To differentiate diesel fuel from other types of fuel, it is typically stored in containers of specific colours, such as black containers in the UK and yellow containers in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fuel | Diesel |
| Other names | Biodiesel, ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD), straight-run diesel |
| Source | Crude oil, biomass materials, vegetable oil, animal fats |
| Additives | Kerosene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), silicones, hindered phenols, salicylaldimines |
| Use | Motor vehicles, generators, industrial facilities, large buildings, institutional facilities, hospitals, electric utilities |
| Fuel quality improvement programmes | K KUBE |
| Fuel quality improvement additives | Kube Guard |
| Lubricant & fuel additive solutions providers | NCH Europe |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil and biomass materials
Diesel fuel is used in a wide range of vehicles, from freight and delivery trucks to cars and boats. It is also used in diesel-engine generators to generate electricity in remote areas. Diesel fuel is commonly refined from crude oil and biomass materials. Crude oil is heated, vaporized, and fed into a column where materials are separated based on their boiling points. This process, known as distillation, is the most important step in refining crude oil. The top fractions contain gases and lighter liquids, while the bottom fractions have higher boiling points, larger molecular sizes, and thicker consistencies.
Simple distillation of light crude oil yields high-value products like gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel. On the other hand, simple distillation of heavy crude oil produces low-value products, and additional processing is required to achieve high-value outputs. Crude oil is classified by density (API gravity) and sulfur content, with lighter oils generally containing more light hydrocarbons.
Refineries may also blend biomass materials with petroleum fuels to create biomass-based diesel. Biodiesel, a type of biomass-based diesel, is derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, which are primarily fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Common sources of vegetable oils include rapeseed oil in Europe and soybean oil in the United States. Biodiesel can be used in its pure form (B100) or mixed with diesel in various proportions.
The processing of crude oil and biomass materials into diesel fuel involves several steps. After distillation, naphtha, kerosene, and diesel undergo hydrotreating and dewaxing to become diesel with low sulfur content. Additives like ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) are included to improve cold flow properties and prevent wax crystallization, which can block fuel filters. Other additives include antifoaming agents (silicones), antioxidants (hindered phenols), and metal deactivating agents (salicylaldimines).
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Diesel engines can also run on biodiesel
Biodiesel is obtained from vegetable oil or animal fats (biolipids) which are mainly fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), and transesterified with methanol. Methanol can also be replaced with ethanol for the transesterification process, which results in the production of ethyl esters. The transesterification processes use catalysts, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, to convert vegetable oil and methanol into biodiesel. The undesirable byproducts of glycerine and water, along with any methanol traces, need to be removed from the fuel.
Biodiesel can be used in its pure form (B100) in engines where the manufacturer approves such use. However, it is more commonly used as a mix with diesel, designated by the amount of diesel it is mixed with (BXX, where XX is the percentage of biodiesel). Biodiesel is rarely used in its pure form. In the US, biodiesel is blended at a rate of 5% or less into almost all diesel fuel sold.
The use of biodiesel is increasing due to its lower emissions and the national drive to reduce reliance on petroleum. It is the preferred fuel type of the US government and is used by all four branches of the US military, as well as state, city, and private fleets. It is also commonly used on farms, in manufacturing equipment, and in the construction industry.
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Diesel is often used in heavy trucks and industrial machinery
Diesel fuel is commonly used in heavy trucks and industrial machinery. This is due to several factors, including engine efficiency, torque requirements, fuel economy, and durability. Firstly, diesel engines offer better fuel efficiency than petrol or gasoline engines, making them a more cost-effective choice for heavy vehicles and industrial applications. Diesel engines have a higher compression ratio, which results in higher torque output. This torque is crucial for powering heavy vehicles, especially when pulling heavy loads up hills or at slow speeds.
The use of diesel in heavy trucks has been a standard since the introduction of motor-vehicle diesel engines in the 1930s. Diesel engines are known for their power and durability, with the ability to handle extreme vibration levels and weight that smaller vehicles cannot support. The larger blocks and thicker construction of diesel engines make them highly durable and better suited for heavy-duty tasks. Additionally, diesel engines have a slower fuel burn rate compared to petrol or gasoline engines, which is essential for industrial machinery that requires consistent and reliable power output.
Diesel engines are commonly used in buses, trains, tractors, and construction equipment. In the United States, diesel powers most farm and construction machinery, including tractors, diggers, drills, and trucks. The U.S. military also relies on diesel fuel for its tanks and trucks due to its safety advantages over other fuels. Diesel is less flammable and less explosive, making it a safer choice for military applications. Furthermore, diesel engines are less likely to stall than gasoline-fueled engines, providing a more reliable power source for critical operations.
Industrial facilities, large buildings, hospitals, and electric utilities often use diesel generators for backup and emergency power supply. The versatility of diesel fuel and its ability to provide reliable power make it a preferred choice for a wide range of heavy-duty and industrial applications. Regular maintenance of diesel engines is crucial to ensure their longevity. This includes routine tasks such as replacing fuel and air filters, radiator care, and periodic inspections to maintain optimal performance and prevent engine issues.
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Diesel fuel quality has improved since World War II
Diesel fuel can be obtained from various filling stations, depending on your location. In the UK, diesel is normally stored in black containers, while in the US, it is usually stored in yellow containers.
Diesel fuel has indeed improved since World War II, when it was used as a fuel component in several engines, including the BMW 109-718. The first modern high-quality diesel fuels were standardised after the war, with standards such as the DIN 51601, VTL 9140-001, and NATO F 54. These standards defined certain properties of the fuel, such as cetane number, density, flash point, and sulphur content.
Prior to World War II, diesel engines typically ran on cheap fuel oils, which were distilled from petroleum in the US and made from coal-tar creosote oil in Europe. However, the introduction of motor-vehicle diesel engines in the 1930s, such as the Mercedes-Benz OM 138, meant that higher-quality fuels with proper ignition characteristics were needed. Despite this, no improvements were initially made to motor-vehicle diesel fuel quality.
Following World War II, several military vehicles with diesel engines were produced, capable of running on diesel fuel due to its fuel efficiency and lower risk of catching fire. Today, diesel fuel is commonly used in heavy trucks, tractors, and equipment for oil and gas extraction. It is also used as the main ingredient in oil-based mud drilling fluid due to its low cost and ability to drill through a variety of strata.
The quality of diesel fuel has continued to improve over time, with ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) becoming the standard in the UK, mainland Europe, and North America as of 2016. This type of diesel fuel has substantially lowered sulfur content, improving emissions and reducing health risks associated with diesel exhaust.
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Diesel is stored in different-coloured containers in different countries
Diesel fuel is derived from crude oil and is used in diesel engines. It is also used to power vehicles, machinery, and generators. Diesel is often stored in containers with specific colours to differentiate it from other types of fuel and to promote safety. While there are no universal mandates for the colour of containers for chemical storage, certain colours have become standard for specific fuels.
In the United States, diesel is typically stored in yellow containers, while kerosene is stored in blue containers, and gasoline (petrol) is kept in red containers. This colour-coding system helps differentiate between various types of fuels, preventing mix-ups, accidents, and damage to engines. The use of yellow containers for diesel is due to its high flashpoint and lower volatility compared to gasoline. The distinct colour also minimises the risk of accidentally filling a gasoline-powered engine with diesel or vice versa.
In the United Kingdom, diesel is usually stored in black containers, while unleaded or leaded petrol is stored in green and red containers, respectively.
It is important to note that the standards for container colours may vary across different countries and industries. While colour-coding is a valuable safety feature, it is always recommended to confirm the contents of a container before use to avoid any potential hazards.
Additionally, diesel fuel stored in containers may have additives to improve safety and performance. For example, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) is added as a "cold flow improver" to inhibit the crystallisation of waxes that can block fuel filters. Other additives include antifoaming agents (silicones), antioxidants (hindered phenols), and "metal deactivating agents" (salicylaldimines). These additives are used based on the specific composition and storage plans for diesel fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
In the UK, diesel is usually stored in a black container at gas stations.
In the US, diesel is normally stored in a yellow container.
K KUBE is a popular diesel fuel programme across Europe.
