Diesel Fuel
Diesel fuel has always been thought of as dirty, smelly, and full of pollutants, and maybe it is. But as technology advances in engines, so does the need to be able to operate those newer engines by lowering the amount of sulfur in the diesel fuel.
Although removing sulfur may have a slight impact on performance and longevity of the engine, the newer engines are not affected as much, and this is because they are designed to run efficiently on a lowered sulfur content.
October 15, 2006 was the date that theEPAproposed Ultra-low sulfur diesel as the new standard for sulfur content for diesel fuel sold in the US. California did so a month and a half sooner and Alaska will do the same in 2010.
Sulfur in the fuel acts as a lubricate for the engine's fuel injection systems so as to prevent premature wearing of these systems. By reducing the sulfur content, it reduces the density of the fuel and reduces the energy content as well, and in turn can result in lost peak power and efficiency. However, the difference is almost non detectable.
As we move to more environmentally friendly ways to travel, it was found that it would be necessary to modify diesel fuel, so that it would be less polluting to the atmosphere. Auto's that run on regular fuel have been on a path of producing zero emissions. It won't be long before that goal is achieved.
The lower the sulfur content, the fewer sulfate emissions, which in turn results in less use of emissions reduction equipment that adds significantly to the cost of a vehicle such as the catalytic converters and particulate traps.
It goes without saying, that if diesel engines are going to be around for any length of time, and if we are trying to lower the amount of emissions into the atmosphere, then it is necessary for diesel fuel to be modified so that it meets certain standards for the EPA.
Although it may cost more than current diesel fuel, it will only average a few cents per gallon, but the benefits are calculated to offset that cost in the long run.
The environmental protection agency defines this fuel as such because it is not to exceed 15 parts per million of the sulfur content. Sounds like such a small amount, but none the less is what the EPA determined for the use of sulfur for diesel fuels.
