High-quality diesel fuel affects the power, efficiency, and trouble-free operation of equipment. This petroleum product is used for all diesel systems, military equipment, railway and agricultural transport, as well as watercraft and trucks. There are 3 main types of diesel fuel: arctic, summer and winter.
Arctic fuels are used at temperatures of -50 degrees Celsius. It is labeled according to the percentage of sulfur. It differs little in its composition from kerosene. It is considered the most expensive.
Winter fuel is used at temperatures below -20. Summer diesel fuel is poured to operate the engine at temperatures below zero. Since 1996, a new European Standard EN 590 has been introduced, which implies the production of diesel fuel for various climatic conditions.
In Russia, since 2005, a new state Standard for diesel fuel GOST R52368-2005 has been introduced. According to it, the sulfur content in the fuel is regulated and, accordingly, it is divided into three types. Depending on climatic conditions, diesel fuel is divided into grades and classes.
Diesel fuel is characterized by various parameters:
- Cetane number. The higher, the faster the diesel burns. Affects engine power.
- The fractional composition is important for the operation of the engine as a whole, it affects the consumption of diesel fuel.
- The density and viscosity of diesel fuel are also important for the formation of a mixture in the engine.
- Diesel fuel must not oxidize during storage. This is called chemical stability. Oxidation can form a precipitate, so additives are sometimes added.
- The mass fraction of sulfur in the fuel affects the oxidation of diesel fuel, and this, in turn, affects the operation of the engine, therefore, fuel with a low sulfur content is considered the best.
- The safety indicator of diesel fuel is a low ignition temperature. It is important for determining the safe operation of the engine.
- The ash content of the fuel affects engine wear, therefore it should also be low.
The color of diesel fuel can be either transparent or light yellow, or have a greenish-blue tint. Naturally, there should be no turbidity and impurities. We hope this information will help you choose the right fuel for your vehicle.
