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en590-diesel-fuel

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Standard Specification

The EN590 standard specifies a number of requirements for diesel fuel:

  • Cetane number: This is a measure of the ignition quality of the fuel. EN590 requires a minimum cetane number of 51.
  • Sulfur content: EN590 specifies a maximum sulfur content of 10 parts per million (ppm) for diesel fuel. This low sulfur content helps to reduce emissions of sulfur oxides, which can contribute to acid rain and air pollution.
  • Density: EN590 requires a density between 820 and 845 kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3). 
  • Distillation characteristics: EN590 specifies the range of temperatures at which the fuel vaporizes during distillation. 
  • Cold flow properties: EN590 sets limits on the cloud point and cold filter plugging point of diesel fuel. These parameters measure the temperature at which wax crystals begin to form in the fuel, which can cause clogging and other problems in cold weather. 
  • Lubricity: EN590 requires diesel fuel to have a minimum lubricity of 460 micrometers, which helps to protect the fuel injection system from wear and damage.

Production of EN590 / Diesel

EN590 diesel fuel is produced by refining crude oil through a series of processes that remove impurities and refine the fuel to meet the EN590 specifications. The production of EN590 diesel fuel typically involves the following steps:

  • Distillation: The first step in producing diesel fuel is distillation, which involves heating crude oil to separate it into various fractions based on their boiling points. The fraction that is used to produce diesel fuel typically has a boiling point range between 200°C and 350°C.
  • Hydrotreating: After distillation, the diesel fraction is treated with hydrogen gas in a process called hydrotreating. This process removes impurities such as sulfur, nitrogen, and metals from the fuel. Hydrotreating also increases the cetane number of the fuel, which improves its ignition quality.
  • Isomerization: In some cases, the diesel fraction may also be treated with a catalyst in a process called isomerization. This process converts straight-chain hydrocarbons in the fuel to branched-chain hydrocarbons, which can improve the fuel’s cold flow properties.
  • Blending: After hydrotreating and/or isomerization, the diesel fuel is blended with additives to meet the EN590 specifications. These additives may include lubricity improvers, cold flow improvers, and cetane improvers.
  • PG5 commitment to Quality Control: Once the diesel fuel has been produced and blended, it is subjected to quality control testing to ensure that it meets the EN590 specifications. These tests may include analysis of the fuel’s sulphur content, density, cetane number, and other properties.

Types of Diesel Fuel

There are several types of diesel fuel, each with its own properties and uses. Some common types of diesel fuel include:

  • Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD): ULSD is a type of diesel fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 15 parts per million (ppm). It is used in most diesel engines in the United States and other parts of the world and is required for use in newer diesel engines that are designed to meet emissions regulations.
  • Biodiesel: Biodiesel is a renewable diesel fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or other organic sources. It can be blended with petroleum diesel fuel to create a biodiesel blend, which can be used in diesel engines with little or no modification.
  • Renewable Diesel: Renewable diesel is a type of diesel fuel that is made from renewable sources such as plant oils, animal fats, and waste vegetable oil. It is chemically identical to petroleum diesel fuel and can be used in diesel engines with no modifications.
  • Winter Diesel: Winter diesel fuel is a type of diesel fuel that is blended with additives to improve its performance in cold weather. It has a lower cloud point and pour point than regular diesel fuel, which helps prevent gelling and waxing in cold temperatures.
  • Marine Diesel: Marine diesel fuel is a type of diesel fuel that is used in ships and boats. It is similar to regular diesel fuel but may have different sulfur content and other additives to meet marine emissions regulations.
  • Aviation Kerosene: Aviation kerosene, also known as Jet A-1, is a type of diesel fuel that is used in jet engines. It has a higher flash point than regular diesel fuel and is designed to burn more cleanly at high altitudes.

Regulations & Compliance

  • PG5 manages strict compliance requirements in EN590 production. It’s important for diesel fuel producers and distributors, as it ensures that the fuel meets the quality and performance requirements set by the standard. In addition to meeting EN590 requirements, diesel fuel may also be subject to local or national regulations and standards 
  • Our production of EN590 diesel fuel is highly regulated to ensure that the fuel meets the quality and performance requirements set by the standard. Producers of EN590 diesel fuel must comply with strict quality control procedures and adhere to the regulations and standards set by the European Union and other relevant authorities.

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