Katerina Swanson
Sulfur is naturally present in diesel fuel, which derives from crude oil. However, it is a well-known contributor to air pollution and causes harmful corrosion. Since 1993, the EPA has regulated sulfur levels in diesel fuel, and in 2006, they began phasing in more stringent regulations to lower the amount of sulfur in diesel fuel to 15 ppm, known as ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). This reduction in sulfur content has allowed for the application of advanced emissions control technologies, which substantially lower the harmful emissions from diesel combustion.
Characteristics and Values of Sulfur in Diesel Fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of sulfur in diesel fuel | Sulfur combines with nickel in metal alloys to form a low-melting eutectic alloy, increasing lubricity |
| Sulfur content in diesel fuel before regulation | Up to 5000 ppm |
| Current sulfur content in diesel fuel | 15 ppm |
| Impact of sulfur on engine oil | Engine oils with basic additives were required to prevent sulfuric acid build-up and reduce corrosive wear |
| Impact of low sulfur diesel on engine oil | Requires a mix of detergent, antioxidant, and corrosion inhibitor additives to prevent organic acid corrosion |
| Environmental impact of sulfur in diesel | Sulfur forms particulates that contribute to air pollution, including ozone precursors, and particulate matter that can cause respiratory problems and lung damage |
| Impact of low sulfur diesel on emissions | Allows for the use of advanced emission control technologies that substantially lower harmful emissions, including nitrogen oxide and particulate matter |
| Impact of low sulfur diesel on fuel economy | Reduces overall lubricity and energy density, which can be addressed with fuel additives |
| Impact of low sulfur diesel on tank corrosion | ULSD's high affinity for water may accelerate tank corrosion, requiring regular fuel filtration |
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What You'll Learn
- Sulfur is added to diesel fuel to improve lubricity
- Reducing sulfur content allows for advanced emissions control technologies
- Sulfuric acids are a significant cause of corrosion
- Sulfur dioxide exposure has health and environmental impacts
- Sulfur reduction requires fuel additives to maintain fuel economy
Sulfur is added to diesel fuel to improve lubricity
Sulfur is naturally present in diesel fuel, deriving from the original crude oil source. While it is not a lubricant in itself, sulfur can combine with the nickel content in many metal alloys to form a low-melting eutectic alloy that increases lubricity. Lubricity is a measure of a fuel's ability to lubricate and protect the various parts of an engine's fuel injection system from wear.
The process used to reduce the sulfur content in diesel fuel also reduces the fuel's lubricating properties. Since 2005, ASTM International's lubricity specification, defined in ASTM D975, has been adopted for all diesel fuels. This standard defines two ULSD grades: Grade No. 2-D S15 (regular ULSD) and Grade No. 1-D S15 (a higher volatility fuel with a lower gelling temperature than regular ULSD).
To address the loss of lubricity caused by the removal of sulfur, fuel additives can be used. These additives can improve fuel lubricity and fuel economy. However, the use of fuel additives requires individuals to regularly dose their fuel supply, and the effectiveness of different additives varies.
The reduction of sulfur content in diesel fuel has been a focus of regulatory bodies such as the US EPA and the European Union. Beginning in 2006, the EPA implemented more stringent regulations to lower the amount of sulfur in diesel fuel to 15 ppm, known as ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). This fuel is now widely used in Europe and North America.
The move towards lower sulfur content enables the application of advanced emissions control technologies, which substantially reduce harmful emissions from diesel combustion. These technologies have been found to reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions, which contribute to serious health and environmental issues such as respiratory problems, lung damage, and acid rain.
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Reducing sulfur content allows for advanced emissions control technologies
Diesel fuel contains sulfur, which is derived from the original crude oil source and can remain after refining. Sulfur is not a lubricant, but it can increase lubricity by forming a low-melting eutectic alloy with the nickel content in metal alloys. However, the process of reducing sulfur content in diesel fuel also reduces its lubricating properties and energy density.
Ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) is a type of diesel fuel with a substantially lowered sulfur content. Since 2006, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in Europe and North America has been ULSD. The move towards lower sulfur content enables the use of advanced emissions control technologies, substantially lowering harmful emissions from diesel combustion.
Testing by engine manufacturers and regulatory bodies has found that using emissions control devices in conjunction with ULSD can reduce the exhaust output of ozone precursors and particulate matter to near-zero levels. These advanced emission control devices have been able to reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions by 90% and 95% respectively. Nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions are associated with serious health problems, including premature mortality, aggravation of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, asthma, acute respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, and decreased lung function. They are also suspected to be carcinogenic and contribute to the development of lung cancer.
The health benefits of ULSD are undeniable, but there are trade-offs to consider. For example, ULSD has a high affinity for water, which can accelerate tank corrosion. However, these issues can be addressed through the adoption of new fuel technologies and products, such as fuel additives and regular fuel filtration.
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Sulfuric acids are a significant cause of corrosion
Sulfur is naturally present in diesel fuel, deriving from the original crude oil source. However, the presence of sulfur in diesel fuel has been linked to harmful environmental and health effects. Sulfur forms particulates after combustion in the engine, which are a primary contributor to air pollution. The particulates formed from sulfur combustion include sulfur dioxide (SO2), which has been linked to respiratory problems, lung damage, tree and plant damage, acid rain, and haze.
Due to these harmful effects, the US EPA began regulating sulfur levels in diesel fuel in 1993. In 2006, the EPA implemented more stringent regulations, aiming to lower the sulfur content in diesel fuel to 15 parts per million (ppm), referred to as ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). This reduction in sulfur content has allowed for the use of advanced emissions control technologies, which substantially lower harmful emissions from diesel combustion.
While the move towards ULSD has reduced harmful emissions, it has also resulted in a decrease in the fuel's lubricating properties. Sulfur can combine with the nickel content in metal alloys to increase lubricity. The process of reducing sulfur also removes naturally occurring lubricity agents in diesel fuel. To address this issue, ASTM International adopted the lubricity specification defined in ASTM D975, which includes two ULSD grades: Grade No. 2-D S15 (regular ULSD) and Grade No. 1-D S15 (higher volatility fuel with a lower gelling temperature).
Additionally, ULSD has been found to contribute to accelerated tank corrosion. ULSD has a high affinity for water, and the presence of water in diesel fuel is a known contributor to tank corrosion and microbial growth. Mixing ULSD with small amounts of biofuel, such as ethanol, can further accelerate corrosion due to the creation of acetic acid. To mitigate this issue, regular fuel filtration can be employed.
In summary, sulfuric acids formed from the combustion of high-sulfur fuel are a significant cause of corrosion. The reduction of sulfur content in diesel fuel has led to the need for engine oils with corrosion inhibitor additives to prevent organic acid corrosion. While ULSD has resulted in reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency, it has also presented challenges such as decreased lubricity and accelerated tank corrosion, which can be addressed through fuel additives and filtration techniques.
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Sulfur dioxide exposure has health and environmental impacts
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) can affect both human health and the environment. Short-term exposures to SO2 can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult. People with asthma, particularly children, are sensitive to these effects of SO2. SO2 emissions that lead to high concentrations of SO2 in the air generally also lead to the formation of other sulfur oxides (SOx). SOx can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles, contributing to particulate matter (PM) pollution. These particles may penetrate deeply into the lungs and, in sufficient quantity, can cause health problems.
SO2 and other sulfur oxides can contribute to acid rain, which can harm sensitive ecosystems. They can also react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form fine particles that reduce visibility (haze) in parts of the United States, including national parks and wilderness areas. The deposition of these particles can also stain and damage stone and other materials, including culturally important objects such as statues and monuments.
Workers in plants where sulfur dioxide occurs as a by-product, such as in the copper smelting industry and in the processing or burning of coal or oil, are most often exposed to sulfur dioxide. Other exposures occur in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, paper, food preservatives, and fertilizers. The primary way that workers are exposed to sulfur dioxide is through breathing it in the air. However, exposure can also occur through skin contact.
To protect individuals from the possible health effects of breathing sulfur dioxide, the federal government has set regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the long-term, 1-year average concentrations of sulfur dioxide should not exceed 0.03 ppm. The short-term, 24-hour average concentration should not exceed 0.14 ppm more than once a year. OSHA regulates levels of sulfur dioxide in the workplace, stating that workroom air should contain no more than an average of 2 ppm sulfur dioxide over an 8-hour working shift for five consecutive days in a workweek.
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Sulfur reduction requires fuel additives to maintain fuel economy
Sulfur is naturally present in diesel fuel. When diesel fuel containing sulfur is burned, sulfuric acids are formed, which are highly corrosive. The combustion of sulfur also produces harmful emissions.
Since the 1990s, there has been a global push to reduce sulfur content in diesel fuel. This move is driven by the desire to reduce corrosive wear on engines and substantially lower harmful emissions from diesel combustion.
Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is a type of diesel fuel with significantly reduced sulfur content. Since 2006, almost all petroleum-based diesel fuel available in Europe and North America has been ULSD. The global shift towards ULSD has resulted in a corresponding need for fuel additives to address issues arising from low-sulfur fuel.
One of the primary challenges with ULSD is its lack of lubricity. Sulfur, while not a lubricant itself, can enhance lubricity by forming low-melting eutectic alloys with nickel in metal alloys. The process of reducing sulfur content also removes natural lubricity agents in diesel fuel. As a result, additives such as lubricity improvers are often added to ULSD to enhance its lubricating properties and protect engine components.
In addition to lubricity issues, ULSD can also present challenges in terms of fuel efficiency and engine performance. Fuel additives, such as cetane boosters, are commonly used to improve the combustion efficiency of ULSD, leading to better fuel economy and reduced emissions. Detergent additives are another type of additive used to maintain engine cleanliness, reduce deposits, and ensure efficient performance.
Overall, while the reduction of sulfur in diesel fuel has positive environmental and engine protection benefits, it also necessitates the use of fuel additives to maintain optimal fuel economy and engine performance.
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Frequently asked questions
Sulfur is not added to diesel fuel, it derives from the original crude oil source and can still be present after refining.
Sulfur forms particulates after combustion in the engine, which are a primary contributor to air pollution and cause harmful corrosion. The health concerns related to sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure include respiratory problems, lung damage, and aggravation of asthma.
ULSD is diesel fuel with substantially lowered sulfur content. Since 2006, almost all of the petroleum-based diesel fuel available in Europe and North America has been ULSD. The move to lower sulfur content allows for the application of advanced emissions control technologies that substantially lower the harmful emissions from diesel combustion.
