ASTM Revises Standard Spec For Diesel

Today, August 23, 2010, the ASTM issued a revised Standard Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils.  This replaces the long time spec issued by the ASTM back to 2009.  The new issue is number ASTM D975 -10a and replaces all others.  It appears that this spec is issued to clarify the different grades of fuel based on Sulfur content.
For example: 1.1.3 Grade No. 1-D S5000—A special-purpose, light middle distillate fuel for use in diesel engine applications requiring a fuel with 5000 ppm sulfur (maximum) and higher volatility than that provided by Grade No. 2-D S5000 fuels.
The S5000 designation, as is evident, will show this fuel to be a fuel with heavy Sulfur concentration at 5000 PPM.  A fuel designated with an S15 would indicate a fuel with Sulfur at 15PPM or Low Sulfur Diesel.

According to the ASTM Spec, "The Sxxx designation has been adopted to distinguish grades by sulfur rather than using words such as “Low Sulfur” as previously because the number of sulfur grades is growing and the word descriptions were thought to be not precise. S5000 grades correspond to the so-called “regular” sulfur grades, the previous No. 1-D and No. 2-D. S500 grades correspond to the previous “Low Sulfur” grades. S15 grades were not in the previous grade system and are commonly referred to as “Ultra-Low Sulfur” grades or ULSD."

With the introduction of various levels of Sulfur in diesel fuels it became apparent that the need for diesel fuel maintenance is ever more necessary.  Plan accordingly.  If you have stored diesel fuel, know the affects of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel as well as how other levels of Sulfur affect you fuel.  Be prepared.  By performing routine maintenance on your diesel fuel you can avoid costly repair bills and increase your uptime significantly.


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