Information on Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel
In an effort to maintain a healthy environment and help prevent air pollution, the United States Environmental Protection Agency passed regulations cutting the level of sulfur in diesel fuel. By mandating the use of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, the Agency brought the same strict emissions standards followed by gasoline-powered vehicles to diesel cars and trucks.
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EPA Regulation
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Since 1993, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has regulated the quality of the diesel fuel sold for highway use by cars and trucks. The EPA has required low sulfur levels in diesel since 2006. Concern over atmospheric pollution due to natural impurities of sulfur in diesel fuel led the agency to again tighten standards on Dec. 1, 2010. On that date, the use of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, or ULSD, was mandated to replace low sulfur diesel, or LSD. Diesel pumps are required to be labeled ULSD.
Definition
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ULSD is a cleaner burning fuel containing 97 percent less sulfur than the previous standard set by LSD fuel. The EPA clean-air mandates allow no more than 15 parts-per-million of sulfur in No. 1 diesel fuel. Lower sulfur levels reduce exhaust emission pollutants. According to the EPA, diesel exhaust emissions contain compounds that cause breathing and upper respiratory system-related health problems. The high-risk age groups most vulnerable are children and senior citizens.
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Emission Reduction
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The use of ULSD fuel in conjunction with re-designed advanced emission-control devices lowers the levels of released hydrocarbons, sulfur and nitrogen compounds, along with harmful particulate matter, to almost zero. Nitrogen oxides chemically react to form a lower-atmosphere ozone layer and contribute to acid rain. Burning ULSD fuel greatly cuts the amount of sulfur dioxide, a major contributor to acid rain. The oxides rise high into the atmosphere, lowering the pH of rain drops.
Other Information
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By 2012, fuel for non-road diesel standards will have to meet the ULSD standards. This includes locomotive train engines, marine applications and farm and construction equipment. To prevent lowered gas mileage and damage to engine components and emission-control parts, only ULSD fuel should be used in vehicles built after 2007. Lubricating and corrosion inhibitors are added to ULSD fuel to increase its performance and efficiency levels. Up to 5 percent biodiesel may be added to ULSD fuel.
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References
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