Many businesses need a steady supply of fuel to keep their operations running. Choosing the right fuel is essential — various factors, such as energy efficiency and sustainability, must be considered.
A popular fuel used by many industries is diesel. This guide covers everything to know about the fuel, including its uses, benefits and environmental impact.
What Is Diesel Fuel?
A vital energy source in the global transportation and industrial sectors, diesel is a petroleum-based fuel used by vehicles, machinery and equipment with diesel engines. Rather than being ignited by a spark like gasoline engines, diesel engines achieve ignition when the fuel reaches a high enough temperature due to compression in the chamber.
Diesel fuel is made from crude oil and a combination of hydrocarbons — molecules containing hydrogen and carbon atoms. While the exact composition of diesel can differ based on the refinement process, all diesel fuel must meet specific standards and specifications established by regulatory bodies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
These specifications include considerations such as cetane ratings, which measure the performance of diesel — the higher the rating, the easier fuel combusts to ignite the engine. Sulfur content is also controlled, with the EPA implementing strict regulations to lower the amount of sulfur in diesel. This fuel is referred to as ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
There are also different grades of diesel fuel, which depend on the fuel’s properties and planned use. The most common grades are:
- Diesel #1: This grade has a higher cetane rating but a lower viscosity rating. Viscosity impacts how well the fuel flows and its ability to lubricate the engine’s moving parts. Due to its specifications, Diesel #1 is best used in cold weather.
- Diesel #2: This grade is most commonly used and widely available, as it is suited for most diesel engines. With a lower cetane rating but a higher viscosity rating, Diesel #2 has an ideal balance of performance and efficiency.
What Is Diesel Fuel Used For?
Diesel fuel is an indispensable part of the U.S. economy. Almost all businesses directly or indirectly rely on diesel for critical areas of operation. Diesel powers the engines of trucks, trains and boats that transport many of the products Americans use. Most vehicles used in construction and farming also have diesel engines, as do public and school buses. With such a high demand comes a high level of consumption — in 2022, the U.S. transportation sector consumed around 125 million gallons of diesel daily.
Other uses of diesel fuel include:
- Generators: Diesel fuel is used in generators to generate electricity. Industrial and institutional facilities, large buildings, hospitals and electric utilities use diesel generators as backup power supplies. Additionally, many remote villages in Alaska depend on diesel generators as their main power source.
- Equipment: Diesel-powered machinery makes up most of the farming and construction equipment used for challenging work such as lifting heavy beams, carrying soil and rocks, digging trenches and foundations, drilling wells and paving roads.
- Military vehicles: As diesel fuel is less flammable and explosive than other fuels, the U.S. military uses it in tanks and trucks. Compared to gasoline engines, diesel engines are also less likely to stall.
Benefits of Diesel Fuel
Diesel fuel offers many benefits, including better performance and safety than other fuels, such as gasoline. One of diesel’s biggest advantages is its energy density. Because diesel contains more energy per gallon than gasoline, it has a superior fuel economy — one can get more mileage from a gallon of diesel than a gallon of gas.
Another benefit of diesel is its longevity. Diesel fuel has a longer shelf life than gasoline, meaning it maintains its quality while being stored for more extended periods.
Storing Diesel Fuel Safely
Even with greater longevity, diesel still has a limited shelf life. Diesel fuel can begin to degrade at the 28-day mark, and using expired or contaminated fuel can damage engines or cause premature shutdowns, leading to inefficiencies across a business’s operations.
While additives such as stabilizers, biocides and water controllers can increase diesel’s shelf life, storage is equally important to help ensure its safety and quality. As diesel is still highly flammable, careful handling and proper storage are essential to help reduce the risk of hazards, spills and leaks. Plus, storing diesel safely also protects it from exposure to contaminants and moisture, which degrade its quality.
To increase the longevity and efficiency of both diesel and the engines it fuels, facilities storing diesel should follow these tips:
- Appropriate tank usage: Facilities should store diesel in allocated tanks made from materials suitable for extended fuel storage, such as steel or fiberglass.
- Water contamination prevention: Water exposure can result in microbial growth and fuel degradation. To prevent contamination, facilities should regularly drain tanks of accumulated water and install water separators.
- Regular inspection: Facilities must frequently inspect tanks for leaks and other issues. Repairing damaged tanks can help deter accidents.
- Fuel level monitoring: Running out of fuel can cause air to enter the system, potentially damaging engines and fuel lines. Monitoring and refilling diesel fuel levels before they are empty can protect vehicles and equipment. To streamline this process, tank monitoring systems can be installed to remotely monitor fuel levels and help prevent any unwanted outages.
- Filtration: Facilities should routinely replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations to maintain optimum efficiency. Investing in comprehensive fuel quality services from a reputable provider, such as Foster Fuels, can also help remove impurities and contaminants from diesel to extend its shelf life.
- Emergency preparedness: A thorough emergency response plan is indispensable in a fuel spill or leak. Facilities should also provide staff with the appropriate training on handling and containment protocols to reduce risks.
- Fuel testing: To ensure viability, facilities storing diesel for long periods should periodically have their supply tested.
Environmental Impact of Diesel Fuel
Before 2006, standard diesel for most uses had a higher sulfur content and was considered worse for the environment. Because of the EPA’s intervention, the petroleum industry now produces ULSD, a cleaner-burning fuel with a sulfur content of 15 parts per million or less. Today, most of the diesel available is ULSD.
The EPA also implemented emission standards for diesel engine on-road vehicle models made in 2007 and later. These engines must now be designed only to use ULSD. When combined with advanced exhaust emission control systems, ULSD fuel can limit vehicle particulate emissions by up to 90%. Emissions of nitrogen compounds can also be reduced by 25% to 50%.
The Future of Diesel Fuel
Fortunately, the future of diesel is promising — the diesel fuel industry is constantly evolving and innovating to enhance efficiency, lessen emissions and incorporate renewable components.
Renewable diesel is an emerging trend, with renewable fuel plants becoming increasingly common in the U.S. Made from biomass such as vegetable oils, agricultural waste and trash, renewable diesel burns cleaner and emits less carbon emissions.
This fuel is an excellent alternative for businesses seeking to reduce their environmental footprint and use cleaner energy. Transitioning to renewable diesel is also easy, as this fuel is a direct replacement compatible with most modern diesel engines. As a result, businesses can move toward a more sustainable future without purchasing new equipment.
Partner With Foster Fuels as Your Bulk Diesel Supplier
Whether you want to transition your business to renewable diesel or need a full-service partner who can assist with everything from bulk diesel fuel delivery to tank maintenance, Foster Fuels is here to help. For over 100 years, we have been the most reliable diesel supplier for businesses nationwide.
Our Mission Critical division can come to you anywhere in the country. To learn more about how partnering with Foster Fuels can fulfill your business’s fueling needs, contact us today.
