Ameer Randolph
Diesel fuel is a distillate fuel oil used in motor vehicles with compression-ignition engines, invented by German scientist Rudolf Diesel in 1892. Diesel fuel is primarily sourced from the fractional distillation of crude oil, resulting in a mixture of hydrocarbons with a high energy density. This process yields other products such as gasoline, residual fuel oil, and jet fuel. The United States, for example, produces and consumes biomass-based diesel fuels, with most diesel fuel being refined from crude oil in petroleum refineries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Sources | Petroleum, biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction |
| Most Common Type | Petroleum-based diesel fuel |
| Other Types | Biodiesel, biomass to liquid (BTL), gas to liquid (GTL) diesel, synthetic diesel, hydrocracking diesel |
| Standard | EN 590 in Europe |
| Sulfur Content | 15 parts per million or less in the US; 10 ppm in Europe |
| Colloquial Names | Diesel oil, heavy oil, petrodiesel |
| Use | Fuel for diesel engines |
| Ignition | Ignition occurs without a spark as a result of compression of inlet air and injection of fuel |
| Viscosity | Modified by adding kerosene |
| Storage | Stored in yellow containers in the US; black containers in the UK |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel sources
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel engines are used in freight and delivery trucks, trains, buses, boats, farm, construction, and military vehicles, as well as some cars and light trucks. Diesel fuel is also used in diesel-engine generators to generate electricity in remote locations.
The most common source of diesel fuel is petroleum, specifically a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil. Diesel fuel is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil between 200 and 350 °C at atmospheric pressure, resulting in a mixture of carbon chains. This process is often referred to as refining. Other sources of diesel fuel include biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
In recent years, there has been a shift towards alternative diesel fuels that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. Biodiesel is produced from biomass materials, such as vegetable seed oil, and biomass-based diesel fuels are also consumed and produced in the United States. In 2022, U.S. refineries produced about 73.46 billion gallons of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD), with about 72% of ULSD imports coming from Canada.
Diesel fuel has several colloquial names, such as diesel oil, heavy oil (historically), and simply diesel. In the United Kingdom, diesel fuel for road use is commonly called diesel or white diesel, while agricultural diesel, which has a reduced tax, is called red diesel due to its coloured dye. The official term for white diesel is DERV, which stands for diesel-engine road vehicle.
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Diesel fuel distribution
Diesel fuel is a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of crude oil. Petroleum diesel, which is produced by fractional distillation of crude oil, is the most common type of diesel fuel. Other sources of diesel fuel include biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
In the United States, diesel fuel is primarily distributed through a network of pipelines, such as the Colonial Pipeline and the Keystone Pipeline, which transport diesel over long distances from refineries to regional distribution hubs. These hubs, located in major cities like Houston, Chicago, and New York, serve as central points for storage and redistribution, ensuring diesel is available when and where it is needed. Additionally, railroads and trucking companies complement pipeline distribution, particularly in areas not directly served by pipelines.
To ensure a steady and reliable supply, tankers carry large quantities of diesel across oceans, with significant sources including Saudi Arabia and Canada. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is a critical component of US energy strategy, providing a buffer against supply disruptions. The SPR holds millions of barrels of crude oil in underground salt caverns along the Gulf Coast and can be tapped during emergencies to stabilize diesel supply.
The US government and private sector maintain emergency stockpiles to guarantee diesel availability during crises. These reserves are strategically located across the country to enable a rapid response to disruptions, including natural disasters and geopolitical events.
With the emergence of renewable diesel, there is a growing priority to balance diesel supply with environmental sustainability goals. Renewable diesel, made from sustainable sources like vegetable oils and animal fats, offers a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel, reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuels.
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Diesel fuel storage
Diesel fuel is a crucial resource for many, powering everything from commercial transportation vehicles to generators for emergency power outages. When storing diesel fuel, there are several factors to consider to ensure safety and maintain fuel quality.
Firstly, the choice of storage container or tank is important. It is recommended to use a well-constructed tank or container that keeps the fuel dry and protects it from outside elements. Cheap fuel storage solutions may lead to accelerated fuel ageing and other quality issues. Type II safety cans, for example, are ideal for storing diesel fuels as they feature two openings: one for filling and the other for dispensing, providing a safer and more controlled pour.
Secondly, the location of diesel fuel storage is key. Diesel fuel should be stored in a cool, dark, and sheltered location, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Underground storage can provide insulation from temperature-related issues. The ideal storage temperature range for diesel fuel is between 32° Fahrenheit and 95° Fahrenheit; storing it outside this range will cause the fuel to degrade more quickly.
Regular inspections and maintenance of the fuel system and storage tank are also necessary. This includes checking for water at the bottom of the tank, draining any detected water, and keeping the tank clean and free from pollutants or buildup. Additionally, it is important to use the right additives to preserve and stabilise the fuel. Biobor Fuel Additives, for example, can be used to kill microbial contamination and improve the fuel's performance.
Finally, it is imperative to follow safety regulations when storing diesel fuel. As diesel fuel is considered a Class II combustible liquid, it must be stored in approved containers, cabinets, and handling equipment to protect against the risk of ignition. According to OSHA regulations, no more than 60 gallons of a flammable liquid may be stored in a single safety cabinet, and no more than three safety cabinets can be housed in any facility.
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Diesel fuel refining
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel fuel is a high-volume product of oil refineries. The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but diesel fuel can also be derived from non-petroleum sources such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel.
The process of refining crude oil into diesel fuel involves several steps. First, the crude oil is heated in a furnace until most of it vaporizes into a gas. The resulting liquids and vapors are then sent to a distillation tower, where they are separated by boiling point into different streams or fractions. The lightest fractions, including gasoline and liquefied refinery gases, rise to the top of the tower, while heavier fractions settle at the bottom. Diesel fuel is collected from intermediate points in the distillation tower, along with medium-weight gas oils.
After distillation, the fractions are further processed into finished products. This involves using heat, pressure, and catalysts to convert heavy hydrocarbon molecules into lighter ones through a process called cracking. Other refinery processes, such as alkylation and reforming, rearrange molecules rather than splitting them to create valuable products like gasoline.
Synthetic diesel can also be produced from carbonaceous precursors, with natural gas being the most important source. The synthetic diesel production process involves converting raw materials into synthesis gas, which is then transformed into synthetic diesel through the Fischer-Tropsch process. Biodiesel, another alternative to petroleum-derived diesel, is produced through the transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats with methanol or ethanol.
In the United States, most of the diesel fuel consumed is produced domestically by petroleum refineries, with the majority being ultra-low-sulfur distillate (ULSD) diesel. ULSD has a substantially lowered sulfur content, which helps to reduce air pollution emissions that are harmful to human health.
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Diesel fuel specifications
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. These 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. However, alternative types that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are becoming increasingly prevalent. To differentiate these types, petroleum-derived diesel is sometimes referred to as petrodiesel.
In many countries, diesel fuel is standardised to ensure consistent quality. The first standards were introduced after World War II. Standardisation typically defines certain physical and chemical properties of the fuel, such as cetane number, density, flashpoint, sulphur content, and biodiesel content.
For example, in the European Union, the standard for diesel fuel is EN 590, which is also known as ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD). This standard mandates a minimum cetane number of 51, which measures the delay of ignition of the diesel fuel. A higher cetane number indicates that the fuel ignites more easily when injected into hot compressed air.
Similarly, in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented regulations to significantly reduce the sulphur content of diesel fuel. Beginning in 1993, the EPA started regulating diesel fuel sulphur levels. From 2006 onwards, more stringent regulations were phased in to decrease sulphur content in diesel fuel to 15 parts per million (ppm), resulting in ultra-low-sulphur diesel. These regulations have substantially lowered harmful emissions from both on-road and non-road diesel sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel is produced in US petroleum refineries and distributed across the country through shared pipelines, tankers, trucks, and railroads.
In the UK, diesel is normally stored in a black container.
The factory metal line is hidden behind and underneath other engine components, from its origin at the filter-head to its termination at the forward end of the injection pump.
Biodiesel is obtained from vegetable oil or animal fats.
