Welcome to the first edition of the Outlooks Newsletter. We will provide valuable information on a regular basis that can help you improve your transportation operations. This month, we provide an overview of ULSD fuel including availability, performance factors and maintenance issues.
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Next Time: Driving Habits for Fuel Savings |
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Now that ultra low sulfur (ULSD) is available, how it will affect the transportation industry is still a topic of debate. The EPA mandated that by June 2006 refiners and importers ensure that at least 80 percent of highway diesel fuel produced is ULSD and by 2010 all highway diesel fuel produced is ULSD. According to the EPA, the result is a 90 percent reduction in pollution from diesel exhaust.
The new fuel contains a maximum of 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur, compared to the previous EPA requirement of 550 ppm. While ULSD fuel is safe for older vehicles, it is required for use in 2007 vehicles and beyond. Using any other type of fuel in new vehicles could create many problems including engine and exhaust system damage, invalidation of the warranty, legal fines and lower fuel efficiency.
Under normal conditions, ULSD fuel should not produce any noticeable impact on overall power. However, the sulfur reduction process also reduces the aromatics content and density of the diesel fuel, resulting in an energy content reduction. A 1percent reduction is expected, which may affect fuel economy slightly.
Sulfur increases the needed lubricity of diesel fuel, so ULSD fuel will contain additives to increase lubricity and prevent corrosion. With these additives, ULSD fuel should perform as well as the older fuel for preserving engine life and maximizing oil change intervals. In cold weather, only ultra low sulfur kerosene (No.1 diesel with no more than 15 ppm sulfur) may be blended with ULSD.
While ULSD fuel is fully compatible with older vehicles, the introduction of ULSD fuel may affect fuel system components or loosen deposits in fuel tanks. As part of a good maintenance program, owners and operators are encouraged to monitor their diesel-powered vehicles closely for potential fuel system leaks or premature fuel filter pluging during the changeover to ULSD fuel.
“Occasionally, we expect some older vehicles to require preventive maintenance of engine and fuel system seals that may not perform as well during the transition,” says Don Porthan, Maintenance Manager at PacLease. “While this will typically affect older vehicles, we recommend reviewing maintenance records to ensure seals have been changed at recommended intervals.”
Although ULSD fuel is the dominant fuel produced, the EPA does not require retail fuel locations to sell ULSD initially. Therefore, it may not be available at all fuel locations. Facilities carrying ULSD fuel had to meet the 15 ppm sulfur specification by October 15, 2006. All highway diesel fuel sold must be ULSD by December 2010. Federal regulations require that fuel pumps be labeled to specify the type of fuel dispensed by each pump (except in California where all diesel fuel was mandated ULSD in June 2006).
“Given the ULSD production mandate of 80 percent, many fuel stops will choose to only supply ULSD. Facilities will not be able to switch back and forth between the two fuels due to federal pump labeling requirements preventing contamination and the costs of carrying two fuels may be prohibitive,” says Porthan.
For more information on ULSD fuel visit the EPA Heavy-Duty Highway Diesel Program and the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance.
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