| Diesel Analysis and Specifications
Flash Point
ASTM D-56: Standard Test Method for Flash Point by Tag
Closed Tester
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standard:
Flash point determines the maximum
temperature at which the fuel can be stored and handled without serious fire
hazard
#1 Diesel, minimum
100.4° F
#2 Diesel, minimum
125.6° F
There is a flash point waiver to 100.4° F
if a cloud point of -12° C
(10.4° F)
or below is specified during the coldest months. (November through March)
Flash Point Testing
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Distillation
ASTM D-86: Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products at
Atmospheric Pressure
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standard:
Test Method D 86 for distillation provides
another measure of the volatility of fuels. The distillation characteristics
affect starting, drivability, dilution of the engine oil, fuel economy and
carburetor icing. The temperatures are recorded at which 10%, 50% and 90%
evaporation occur. These temperatures are used to characterize whether the
distillation meets the ASTM specifications.
Specification for the temperature when 90% of
the distillation is complete – (T90).
#1 Diesel maximum
550.4° F
#2 Diesel minimum
539.6° F
#2 Diesel maximum
640.4° F
Manual Distillation
Units
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Sulfur
ASTM D-2622: Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum
Products by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
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standard:
Sulfur affects the amount of particulate
emissions emitted into the environment, cylinder wear, and deposits in internal
combustion engines.
#1 Low Sulfur Diesel, maximum 0.05% mass (500 ppm)
#1 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, maximum 0.0015% mass (15 ppm)
#2 Low Sulfur Diesel, maximum 0.05% mass (500 ppm)
#2 Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, maximum 0.0015% mass (15 ppm)
#1 or #2 Non Road Diesel (dyed, tax exempt), maximum 0.50% mass
(5,000 ppm)
Sulfur Analysis using X-ray Fluorescence
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Cloud Point
ASTM D2500:
Standard Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products
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standard:
The cloud point of a fuel is a guide to the temperature at which it
may clog filter systems and restrict flow. At very low temperatures wax
crystals may precipitate out of the diesel fuel, blocking the fuel
system lines and filters causing malfunctioning or stalling of the
engine. In Colorado, the requirements for cloud point start in October
and continue through March, with the temperature requirements becoming
colder through January and gradually warming up into March. Colorado is
also divided geographically into East and West along the 1050
longitude. The requirements for Eastern Colorado are less restrictive
than for Western Colorado, due to differences in mean elevation and
temperature.
| |
East 105°
longitude |
West 105°
longitude |
| October |
-2°
C (28.4°
F) |
-8°
C (17.6°
F) |
| November |
-12°
C (10.4°
F) |
-18°
C (-0.4°
F) |
| December |
-14°
C (6.8°
F) |
-25°
C (-13°
F) |
| January |
-19°
C (-2.2°
F) |
-30°
C (-22°
F) |
| February |
-15°
C (5° F) |
-24°
C (-11.2°
F) |
| March |
-12°
C (10.4°
F) |
-16°
C (3.2°
F) |
Cloud Point Analysis and two cloud point
vials showing cloud point on the right.
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Calculated Cetane Index
ASTM D-4737: Standard Test Method for Calculated Cetane Index
by Four Variable Equation.
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standard:
The Cetane Number
measures the ignition quality of diesel fuel based on ignition delay in an
engine. The higher the cetane number, the shorter the ignition delay and the
better the ignition quality of the fuel.
#1 Diesel (low
sulfur) minimum 40
#2 Diesel (low
sulfur) minimum 40
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