What is Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Ulsd
If you are wondering what ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is, it is relief from the billowing clouds of black soot belching out from the bowels of diesel burning trucks. This new diesel fuel is cleaner by 97% than the formerly used diesel which had 500 parts per million of sulfur instead of the new fuel's content of 15 parts per million.
Finally we will have significant relief from the watery eyes, and noxious odors mostly associated with diesel vehicle emissions in busy urban areas. The benefits to the environment will be felt as well as we are able to take deep breaths of cleaner air. This federally mandated reduction of sulfur in diesel fuel is one regulation I find easy to support, even though it is a bit more costly.
There are a few bumps in the road for some diesel owners in that the new fuel will provide slightly less power, and cause faster wear on diesel engines. As with all things, there are usually trade-offs. New lubricants are being added to the fuel to replace the lubricating properties that sulfur provided in the older fuel. Some diesels may require some seals to be replaced, but the net result will be a cleaner atmosphere.
In the near future, there will also be new requirements to lower sulfur levels in diesel locomotives, and other heavy diesel engines used by industry. Europe has been using the ULSD for some time now, and finally the United States has adopted it. Hopefully, the rest of the world will see the benefits to the environment, and do likewise.
Now, if we could only get some of the heavy "oil-burners" off the road, you know, the old clunker cars that belch fumes not related to fuel consumption. They are disappearing in states that have strict emission standards like California, but now I wish that all states would get serious about these emissions. Then, I could happily say that I am proud of our improvements to impacting the environment with our transportation needs!
