Rajan Wilcox
Diesel fuel is one of the most popular types of fuel in the UK, with over 16 million diesel cars on the road in 2018. While diesel is known to be the least eco-friendly option, there are different types of diesel fuel, some of which are more environmentally friendly than others. The cleanest type of diesel fuel is HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), which is a renewable diesel that can be mixed with normal DERV without requiring vehicle modifications. HVO reduces diesel particulate emissions by up to 80% and significantly reduces air pollution. While HVO is the cleanest option, there are other premium diesel fuels that can improve engine performance and cleanliness, such as Shell V-Power diesel and BP Ultimate diesel. These premium fuels can be more expensive but may be worth the investment for certain types of vehicles.
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Premium diesel
The key difference between premium diesel and regular diesel lies in the additives and chemicals used in their formulations. Premium diesel typically contains additional additives that are designed to improve the performance and longevity of diesel engines. These additives may include detergents, lubricants, and other compounds that help clean and protect the engine, fuel injectors, and fuel system. By removing carbon deposits, soot, and oily buildup, these additives can enhance engine performance, improve fuel efficiency, and potentially reduce the need for costly engine repairs over time.
One of the most well-known premium diesel brands in the UK is Shell V-Power diesel, which is widely available at Shell petrol stations. It is said to improve engine performance and cleanliness, similar to how a nutritious diet benefits an athlete. While it is more expensive than regular diesel, proponents of premium diesel argue that it is a worthwhile investment for the long-term health and performance of diesel vehicles.
However, the effectiveness of premium diesel is debated, with some arguing that the benefits are marginal, especially for modern, mainstream vehicles. Regular diesel fuel in the UK is highly regulated, ensuring that it meets certain standards and will not cause issues for vehicles. For newer cars with low mileage, the benefits of premium diesel may not be noticeable, and the higher price may not seem justifiable.
That being said, for older vehicles, performance cars, or diesel cars with high mileage, premium diesel may offer more significant advantages. Running a tank of premium diesel through the engine every 1,000 miles or so can help clear out any buildup in the fuel system, improving efficiency and potentially reducing future repair costs. Additionally, some high-performance cars may require higher-octane fuel to function effectively, and premium diesel can meet this need.
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Mineral diesel
The production of mineral diesel fuel involves the transformation of crude oil, which was formed by the crushing of small sea creatures millions of years ago. These creatures were trapped in deposits until they were extracted and processed, yielding a useful fossil resource. However, the varying lengths of molecule chains in this natural product result in sub-optimal combustion and emissions performance.
The reputation of mineral diesel fuel has been damaged by the emergence of FAME (fatty acid methyl esters), a biofuel produced from used cooking oils and plant oils. FAME has highlighted the shortcomings of mineral diesel, particularly when compared to more sustainable alternatives.
Despite this, mineral diesel fuel remains widely used and is often referred to simply as \"diesel.\" In the United Kingdom, diesel fuel intended for road use is sometimes called "white diesel" to differentiate it from a reduced-tax agricultural product. As of 2016, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in the UK, mainland Europe, and North America is of the ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) type, which has substantially lowered sulfur content.
While mineral diesel fuel is commonly used, there are premium alternatives that offer improved performance and reduced emissions. These premium fuels, such as super diesel, include chemicals designed to remove soot and oily buildup from the engine's fuel system. Using premium diesel occasionally can help maintain engine efficiency and prevent future repair costs.
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Biofuels
The use of biofuels in the UK is becoming more common as the country moves towards enhanced sustainable energy solutions. The two most used biofuels in the UK are biodiesel and bioethanol. Biodiesel is a substitute fuel produced for diesel engines. It is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil crops, such as rapeseed or soybean, or from waste cooking oils. Biodiesel can be mixed with normal diesel to make a blended biodiesel, with blends such as B5 (5% biodiesel) and B30 (30% biodiesel) commonly available at petrol stations.
Bioethanol is another renewable fuel, used as a substitute for petrol in petrol vehicles. It is made from starches or sugars, such as corn or sugarcane, and is biodegradable and less toxic and explosive than petrol. Bioethanol can also be mixed with unleaded petrol, with blends such as E5 (5% bioethanol) and E10 (10% bioethanol) available. In 2020, the volume of UK-sourced biodiesel for road transport was 126 million litres, while bioethanol was at 116 million litres.
The use of biofuels contributes to a reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions compared to burning fossil fuels. For example, biomethane used in road vehicles can greatly reduce CO2 emissions compared to diesel use, as well as reducing emissions of nitrous oxides and eliminating particulate (dust) emissions. In 2020, just under 36,000 hectares of UK crops were used for biofuels, equating to 0.6% of the total arable area of the UK.
One example of biofuel innovation in the UK is the introduction of E10 biofuel in late 2021, consisting of 90% regular unleaded gasoline and 10% ethanol. This fuel blend was introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport fuels, and it led to a significant shift in the renewable fuel landscape in the UK. As a result, the biofuel sector achieved an 82% reduction in GHG emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels in 2022.
While biofuels offer environmental benefits, there are also some challenges and considerations. For instance, the calculation of carbon dioxide emissions associated with biofuel production is complex and depends on the method of production. Including emissions related to land-use change (LUC) increases the carbon cost of biodiesel. Additionally, the interpretation of excise duty policies on biofuels in the UK has been a subject of debate, with organizations like the UK Pure Plant Oil Association (UKPPOA) advocating for the interests of those using vegetable oil as fuel.
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HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil)
HVO, or hydrotreated vegetable oil, is a renewable diesel or green diesel that can be produced without fossil resources by processing renewable waste lipids like vegetable oil, tallow, or used cooking oil. It is made only from certified waste and does not compete for precious food resources. HVO has similar chemical and physical properties to diesel fuel but does not contain fossil fuels and has a lower carbon content, making it an appealing sustainable fuel option. HVO also has approximately 7% less fuel density, limited aromatic and sulfur content, and a higher cetane value versus diesel fuel.
HVO is sold by Phillips 66, Neste, Eni, and LubiQ Fuels. Tests by mtu (a Rolls-Royce company) found that diesel particulate emissions are reduced by up to 80% when HVO is used. HVO also reduces AdBlue usage, does not clog fuel filters, keeps injectors clean, and reduces air pollution significantly. HVO can be blended with diesel in any proportion, which is beneficial for standby generator set applications where stored fuel consumption is low.
HVO is a relatively new fuel source, and its adoption is currently limited by its supply chain and higher cost. However, increasing demand driven by regulatory and customer ESG targets will drive increased production and adoption. The majority of this increase is expected to come from expanding HVO production in Singapore and the United States.
One challenge with HVO production is the potential risk of corrosion, high hydrogen consumption, and catalyst deactivation. Additionally, there are concerns about the sustainability of HVO, particularly the sourcing of its lipid feedstocks. While waste oils such as used cooking oil are a good resource, they are limited and cannot be scaled up beyond a certain point.
Overall, HVO is a promising alternative to diesel fuel due to its sustainability, low emissions, and ease of integration with diesel fuel. However, there are some challenges and concerns regarding its production and sourcing of feedstocks that need to be addressed.
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Additives
Diesel fuel additives are added to the base fuel by each company to give the fuel its performance characteristics. Additives are expensive, so the more additives in the fuel, the more expensive the fuel will be.
Some additives help improve fuel economy and reduce emissions output. Anti-gel additives are used in extreme cold conditions to prevent the fuel from turning into a waxy gel that can restrict fuel flow and cause damage. Stabilizers are also used to prevent fuel from degrading and becoming unusable.
There are a variety of diesel fuel additives available, such as Diesel Extreme, which adds seven points to the cetane score and cleans and lubricates injectors. Peak's Blue Agri-Clean is another additive that boosts cetane by five points, improves injector performance, and reduces emissions. Millers is another additive that contains many additives, including dipetane.
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Frequently asked questions
HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), also known as renewable diesel, is considered the cleanest diesel fuel in the UK. It is made from certified waste and reduces diesel particulate emissions by up to 80%.
HVO diesel fuel is sold by Phillips 66, Neste, Eni, and LubiQ Fuels in the UK.
Premium diesel fuel burns quicker and more efficiently, resulting in higher performance and a cleaner engine. It can also help prevent costly engine repairs in the future.
