low sulpher premium diesel facts and faq

we know that the diesel linc will be producing will have ZERO sulphur and will very likely be blended by bp to produce premium diesel.

here's the start of a thread with a few facts, faq's and articles related to reduced sulphur in diesel.

What is Premium Diesel?

Premium Diesel is a clean burning, high quality diesel fuel, meeting the Australian standard for diesel [Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001 as amended].

Premium Diesel is suitable for use in all diesel engines.

Premium Diesel

Premium Diesel is Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel blended with up to 20% Biodiesel.

Premium Diesel is a higher grade diesel fuel with superior environmental benefits, performance & fuel system protective qualities.

Premium Diesel contributes to energy security for Australia because it contains a higher percentage of Australian manufactured components.

Environmental Benefits

Premium Diesel produces lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, as well as a reduction in air pollution & related health risks.

Benefits to your Vehicle

Premium Diesel has far greater lubricity than Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, providing unparalleled protection against engine & fuel system wear & tear.

No engine adaption is required. See below FAQ

Premium Diesel improves performance, torque, fuel economy & power.


FAQ


Q. Where can I buy Premium Diesel?

A. Premium Diesel is available at selected SAFF outlets, and is also available in bulk.

Q. What is the price difference?

A. Premium Diesel is a Premium Product, currently retailed to you by SAFF at the same price as Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel.

Q. What are the Performance Benefits?

A. 1. Premium Diesel has a higher cetane level than standard diesel. Cetane can be described as the diesel equivalent of petrol’s “octane number”, that is, “anti-knock”. Premium Diesel therefore provides better ignition and much quieter, smoother running than Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel.

A. 2. Premium Diesel contains bonded oxygen, which provides more complete combustion and greater energy release from the fuel. This can provide greater power and torque and better fuel consumption.

Q. What is the Sulphur Content?

A. Premium Diesel contains no more than 50ppm (0.005%) sulphur - the same level as Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel.

Q. What are the Fuel System Protective Benefits?

A. Premium Diesel has far greater lubricity than Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (which has been the most common diesel in Australia since May 2004). The lubricity of Premium Diesel will protect your metal fuel system components that come in contact with the fuel against wear and tear. This means longer injector life and longer fuel pump life than would be experienced with Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel fuel.

Q. What are the Environmental Benefits?

A. 1. The oxygen content of Premium Diesel provides more complete combustion and therefore a large reduction in harmful (sometimes lethal) combustion by-products such as carbon monoxide, methane, Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbons, “black smoke” (soot). A graph showing the typical emissions reductions of Premium Diesel compared with Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel will be posted soon.

A. 2. Premium Diesel contains up to 20% Biodiesel (see our Biodiesel page for further info) which is a renewable fuel with up to 80% lifecycle reduction in Greenhouse Gases (source: CSIRO, Australian Greenhouse Office). Premium Diesel produces up to 16% less lifecycle greenhouse gases than diesel fuel or ultra low sulphur diesel fuel. This means a lesser contribution to Global Warming, and a safer future for our children.

Q. What are the Energy Security Benefits?

A. The Biodiesel portion of Premium Diesel (up to 20%) is made in Australia from Australian-grown renewable energy sources (canola oil, vegetable oils and tallows). This reduces the demand on crude oil and diesel imports, and on dwindling Australian crude oil reserves.

Q. Is Premium Diesel suitable for all diesel engines?

A. Yes. Premium Diesel meets or exceeds all of the parameters required for Australian Diesel.

Q. What is the cleaning effect on my fuel system?

A. NEW VEHICLES: No effect

A. OTHER VEHICLES: Premium Diesel may clean existing gums, grime, waxes and sludge (which are normal, from diesel fuel usage) from the fuel system and engine, and eventually deposit them in the fuel filter. Please ensure your fuel filters are changed at your normal maintenance period. This is a minor effect that is also being experienced with Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel in certain cases. It is less pronounced than the cleaning effects associated with Biodiesel.

Q. What is the effect on fuel seals and hoses?

A. FOR NEW VEHICLES: No effect

A. FOR OLDER VEHICLES (Pre-1996): Some minor incompatibility issues with rubber components may be experienced, as with Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel. It is advisable to have your mechanic visually inspect rubber or synthetic fuel lines and to replace, if necessary, with Viton or a similar fluoroelastomer. Note that this advice should also be taken for customers using diesel, as it is increasingly being replaced with Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (May 2004) throughout Australia.