Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel

[j.j]

Hi guys.

Wasn't quite sure if this would fit in the Bio-Diesel forum or not, so I put it here anyways.

What do you all know about Low Sulfer Diesel? It is available at a local truck station and from what I've read and heard it's actually BETTER for our engines but releases bad fumes into the environment. Does it increase the power output of a diesel engine?

Not a lot of information on TheDieselStop and nothing on here that came up on my search, not even a lot on google.


Thanks,
John

 

[rickh]

John,
I think you have it backwards...
Bad for our engines good for the environment.
Mixing with BD will help make it better for our engines and wont change environmental impact.
"Removal of sulfur from diesel fuel is good for the environment but the gain comes with the potential for very significant costs to vehicle operators. The process which refineries must use to take sulfur levels down from the current 500 parts per million limit to the new 15 parts per million level takes away from the already poor lubricating properties of diesel fuel. It has been common knowledge since the change to the old 500 ppm low sulfur fuel back in 1993 that lubricity enhancing additives are needed to keep destructive wear from shortening the life of fuel system components caused by lack of lubrication. The new low sulfur specification is the law. The law is going to require use of fuel that will cause a great deal more wear and tear for fuel lubricated metal parts but the specification does not require that any lubricity standard be met. In Europe there are similar low sulfur regulations however the laws, which require sulfur reduction, also force in a reasonable standard for lubricity so that equipment should not be damaged by the change."

Rick H...

 

[hheynow]

I would guess that ULSD is better for the environment because every time #2 is reformulated it's because of emissions and the desire to reduce them. Isn't ULSD approved by CARB (Calif Air Resources Board)? They are very strict IMO. I do know that ULSD does not have the lubricity of current #2. I expect many will be using a fuel additive such as Stanadyne a lot more because of this. Many stations in the north central part of the country are currently selling B-2. This may very well be because biodiesel has much better lubricity than #2 or ULSD. As far as ULSD being BETTER for our engines, how could that be true because of the lack of lubricity? I'll never know first hand. I run B-100 exclusively.

 

[j.j]

Uh oh, you guys have got me worried now

So #2 diesel is lower in sulfer content as of now, also? Running biodiesel you say HELPS lubricate the motor? So, B-20 is the way to run as it's a 1:4 ratio of bio diesel to regular diesel, or am I incorrect about that as well?

 

[hheynow]

Uh oh, you guys have got me worried now

So #2 diesel is lower in sulfur content as of now, also? Running biodiesel you say HELPS lubricate the motor? So, B-20 is the way to run as it's a 1:4 ratio of bio diesel to regular diesel, or am I incorrect about that as well?

Don't worry! B-20 is becoming popular for three reasons if not more. Better lubricity, less dependency on foreign oil and the support of our local economy.

But if you insist on worrying read THIS. Ford recommends a maximum of B-5 and your trucks are new and still under warranty.

 

[User Name]

ok....i got a Q....when they switch to ULSD here and i can;t get bio near me (20 30 miles away out of my way) or when i'm out of town can i add some SVO to the ULSD to aid in the lubricateing ofthe fuel system?

 

[JOAT]

Until recently, I believe all the ULS in the western market was made by BP. Whether you knew it or not, buying Diesel at ARCO in the last 3 years or so in California usually meant you were getting ULS. SURPRISE!

I've ran about 20,000 miles worth of it. The ARCO/BP stuff, ECD they call it, is loaded with additives to be on the safe side. I actually lost fuel economy running it with Stanadyne, so it's possible in BP's case it may be better than run of the mill #2. I can't find it on the currentweb page, but previously it was shown as being higher Cetane than normal, 52-54.

With the shift to all ULS over the next year, hard to say what quality variations there will be.

Something to ponder. ARCO has been selling ECD for 3ish years, usually cheaper than the other stations selling the old #2. Everyone else says prices will rise due to the changover to ULS. Wonder why ARCO didn't raise prices...

 

[SLOTAO]

Hey JJ.. noticed you're in SLO. Don't think anyone sells ULSD here but JB Dewar off Prado road will have their Biodiesel pump up and running pretty soon. B20 or B100

Rich

 

[jopes]

I could have sworn that there was specific lubercity requirements of the diesel fuels which had to be met, so if refining it more removed them they had to add that part back in.

I got a few links at home I will have to dig up again and post tongiht.

 

[W4RLR]

My diesel supplier has just posted notices on their pumps warning owners of 2007 model year diesels NOT to use the diesel fuel they sell. I didn't think the cars and trucks were on the market yet, but there was the warning in big letters.
Low Sulfur Diesel - Not for use in vehicles requiring ULS Diesel