US Diesel Quality

[sparks57]

I just read something in an offroading magazine that said American diesel was some of the lowest quality in the world. It said that diesels are meant to run fuel with a cetane rating of at least 40, and that American diesel is in the low 40's. On the other hand, it said in other parts of the world (Afghanistan was even mentioned) had diesel with cetane in the low 50's. It also stated that running diesel with cetane over 55 did not benefit modern deisel engines.



The article said this is because the American diesel industry has the idea that there is not enough demand for high quality diesel in this country... that sounds like a load to me.



Is this information correct?

 

[Blakers]

I would say we have about the best. I remember my grandfather talking about sending Cletrac diesel tractors to third world countries back in the 30s and 40s and having all kinds of trouble with fuel quality. Some fuel wouldn't even burn, some would carbon everything up, some would gum everything up.



I remember discussion about thousands of Cletrac 55's that were sold to Russia in the 30s that would not run on the Russian kerosene. The stuff would not burn! They even sent a few thousand gallons of the stuff to the plant in Cleveland to figure out how to get it to burn. Standard Oil even worked on the stuff with no success.

 

[Riflesmith]

American fuel is swill. Up to 35% aromatic content and up to 500ppm sulfur is not what I would call quality fuel. The switch to ultra low sulfur diesel with a 10% aromatic content limit will be a positive thing. It will be good for engine and engine oil life and will reduce emissions. I am no tree hugger but it is hard to argue against the point that diesels with less visible emissions is good for the future of diesel vehicles of all types.