On-road diesel is either clear or somewhat green in appearance. When diesel fuel is freshly dispensed into a bottle to observe its color, refineries add a green dye, which is visible. This dye fades to yellow or darker colors as the fuel ages. Checking the fuel for a “bright” appearance, with the faint green dye being a giveaway that the diesel is new and in good condition, is part of a visual inspection to assess diesel fuel quality.
What is dyed diesel?
Diesel contains dye in almost all of it. When we talk about dyed diesel, we usually mean a red dye applied to off-road diesel. Off-road diesel is typically used for heating oil, construction fueling, agricultural use, and other off-road equipment not needed to pay fuel taxes on the highway system.
What is farm diesel?
Off-road diesel, often known as farm diesel or diesel for agricultural purposes, is diesel that is not subject to on-road fuel taxes. Diesel fuel used for agricultural purposes is tax-free. Taxes can be avoided if diesel is burned on a farm and can be tracked. In Oregon, farms are able to obtain clear diesel without paying any road fees. It is frequently coloured red to indicate that it is tax-free. Some farms may track their use of clear diesel so they can submit for Federal road taxes for off-road usage in Oregon, where P.U.C. for trucks over 26,000 GVW pay a weight mile tax instead of a per gallon state road tax.
What color is dyed diesel?
Every gallon of fuel sold in the United States contains some color. Diesel for on-road use usually has a slight green hue. This is a dye that is mixed into the fuel by either the refiner or the terminal supplier. Off-road diesels are coloured red to indicate that the fuel is tax-free and intended only for off-road use.
Why is diesel dyed?
Diesel is coloured to indicate whether or not it has paid road tax. In the United States, on-road diesel usually has a faint green hue. Off-road diesel is dyed red to indicate that it has not paid the required road taxes in all states and by the federal government.
What is off-road diesel?
Off-road diesel is diesel fuel that has been dyed red to indicate that it is tax-free and only available for off-road fuel uses such as construction fueling, equipment that is never used on a public road, agricultural use, heating oil, boiler fuel, and other non-taxed diesel fuel uses as defined by state and federal fuel tax laws. Some off-road users in Oregon can use the Oregon state tax exemption to buy on-road fuel if they have the correct papers.
Is dyed or off-road diesel flammable?
The National Fire Code classifies off-road diesel as a Class II combustible liquid. A flammable fuel has a flash point below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The flash point of diesel ranges between 126 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit (typically assumed to be about 160 degrees F). As a result, it’s classified as a Class II combustible.
Is off-road diesel or dyed diesel high sulfur diesel?
Dyed diesel (also known as off-road diesel) contains a lot of sulfur. Diesel fuel having a sulfur level of more than 500 parts per million is known as high sulfur diesel.
Is off-road diesel or dyed diesel ultra-low sulfur diesel?
Off-road and colored diesel fuels may have ultra-low sulfur, however this is not always the case. In the United States, there has been a persistent campaign to reduce sulfur in all fuels, led by EPA regulation. Off-road construction and agricultural equipment have been required by EPA rules in recent years to have an emissions system that allows ultra-low sulfur to function without serious difficulties. As a result, today’s off-road diesel is ultra-low sulfur. If you have a tank with old dyed red diesel fuel in it, you can infer it has a sulfur concentration that is higher than ultra-low.
What is dyed ULSD fuel?
Dyed ULSD fuel is ultra-low sulfur diesel that has been dyed red to indicate that it is only intended for off-road or untaxed use. Heating oil, construction fuel, agricultural fuel, generator fuel, and other off-road uses are common uses for this type of fuel. The abbreviation “ULSD” stands for ultra-low sulfur diesel.
Is dyed diesel #1 or # 2 diesel?
Diesel that has been dyed can be either #1 or #2 diesel. Both fuels must include a red dye to prove that they are untaxed and cannot be utilized as on-road fuels.
Why does the government require diesel be dyed red?
“For two reasons, the federal government demands dyeing of untaxed diesel fuel and kerosene. To aid in the reduction of tax fraud by recognizing fuel that hasn’t paid excise taxes and to aid in the reduction of air pollution by identifying fuel that isn’t acceptable for use in highway vehicles.”
Is dyed diesel and off-road diesel kerosene?
Kerosene (which crosses as #1 diesel fuel) can be found in dyed diesel and off-road diesel, but it is not always the case. Do not mistake a dyed fuel for kerosene, which is a more uncommon fuel. Kerosene differs from #1 diesel in one way: it has been proven that it may be absorbed and taken up by a wick. All kerosene is classified as #1 diesel. Kerosene isn’t found in all #1 diesel fuels. Diesels that have been colored and off-road fuels are in the same boat. All coloured kerosene and off-road diesel are dyed. Kerosene isn’t the only coloured fuel.
Is dyed diesel and off-road diesel stove oil?
Stove oil is coloured diesel and off-road diesel. Similar to diesel, it’s usually a #1 or #2 stove oil. Stove oils, as opposed to diesel, had a slightly distinct set of specification problems in the past, which is why they were named “stove oils.” It was less precise when petroleum refineries distilled crude oils to make diesel range fuels than it is now with hydrocracking technology. The number of distillate range fuel requirements is significantly more concentrated today, thanks to both oil refinery technologies and EPA emission standards, in order to assure compliance with EPA and state rules. If your heating appliance requires stove oil, it will most likely require #1 stove oil or #1 kerosene. This product is supposed to produce less soot, making it better suited for use in a pot stove. Monitor and Toyostove thermostatically controlled direct vent heaters are the most current stove oil appliances in the United States.
Is off-road diesel bad for my truck?
It depends on the year of your truck, and we’re assuming you’re talking about red diesel fuel. To begin, it is illegal to use dyed diesel, off-road diesel, or heating oil in an on-road vehicle. If you are found in Oregon, you might face a punishment of up to $10,000, and the state is very aggressive in pursuing tax evasion. Beyond the usage of off-road fuel, which is legal. On the west coast, coloured diesel is often ultra low sulfur fuel. This means that if it’s burned in your engine, it won’t cause any problems. It may be high sulfur or low sulfur fuel, depending on the age of the colored fuel or whether it is genuinely a heating oil. If you use that fuel in a post-2007 engine with a particle trap, you’ll have major maintenance problems.
Is dyed diesel or off-road diesel heating oil?
Yes, colored diesel and off-road fuel can be used to heat your home. These days, most dyed diesel and off-road diesel is ultra-low sulfur diesel. According to the EPA and most state rules, heating oil can have a low or high sulfur concentration. So, while heating oil cannot always be colored diesel (when used for off-road machinery or agricultural purposes), dyed/off-road diesel can always be used for heating oil and meet the requirements of heating oil furnaces.
Does off-road diesel freeze?
At low temperatures, off-road diesel gels. Wax crystals form and fall out of the diesel at lower temperatures, clogging filters and gelling the fuel. Water and naturally held-in diesel will also ice up, clogging filters. Diesel gelling is the term for this phenomena.
Does off-road diesel gel in cold weather?
If it gets cold enough, all diesel fuels will gel. Wax crystals and ice accumulating in your fuel will clog filters and cause your equipment to shut down. As a rule of thumb, if you don’t treat your diesel fuel, it should work OK above 20 degrees F. If the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, make sure your vendor treats the fuel for winter use so it can operate at -20 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re going to be operating in temps below that, check with your vendor to see if they’ve tested the fuel to work in temperatures below -20 degrees F.
Does off-road diesel go bad?
Off-road and dyed diesel might deteriorate with time. All ASTM-compliant diesel fuels should be safe to store for up to a year without extra treatment or testing. If you’re storing diesel for a long time, it’s a good idea to treat it with a biocide and an oxidative stabilizer to guarantee that it stays within specifications and that nothing grows in your fuel tank. Water and dirt entering the fuel through a tank vent is the worst opponent of long-term diesel storage. A tank will breathe when the temperature changes, bringing in air and moisture from the outside. Keeping your gasoline within specification means making sure there’s no water in the tank and that no outside impurities can get in.
How long can I store off-road or dyed diesel in a fuel tank?
Diesel fuel has a one-year shelf life if left untreated. You can anticipate diesel to last two to three years if it is treated with a biocide to prevent biological development in the tank. When diesel is sampled after two to three years, it loses its brightness and begins to exhibit signs of age. After three years, you’ll want to sample and test the fuel to make sure it’s up to code and safe to use.
What is the difference between off-road diesel and on-road diesel?
The significant difference between the two fuels is the amount of gasoline taxes levied. To indicate that it is both ultra-low sulfur diesel and that the on-road fuel taxes associated with using it to power a highway vehicle have been paid, all on-road diesel is transparent or greenish in color. Fuel that has been dyed has not been taxed and cannot be used to power a vehicle on a public road.
Do you pay sales tax on dyed diesel or off-road diesel in Washington state?
Yes. The sales tax is assessed if you consume colored diesel and do not pay the on-road fuel taxes in Washington state. The sales tax is not paid if you use clear fuel with road taxes connected to it. The Washington Department of Revenue has more information about Washington gasoline taxes.
What are the taxes on dyed diesel or off-road diesel in Oregon state?
Your gasoline distributor pays a modest tax (less than $.01) on the fuel they purchase at the wholesale terminal. The US EPA Superfund cleanup and the “LUST” (Leaking Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund) are two of the taxes. Aside from that, there are no taxes on off-road diesel fuel in Oregon (federal, state, or local municipality).
Is there a way to buy clear diesel without a road tax on it?
In Oregon, you can purchase clear fuel that is exempt from state road charges. The following are the requirements for using clear diesel in Oregon without paying state taxes:
- cars with a legal Oregon “E” plate and registered to a US government agency, an Oregon state agency, or an Oregon county or city
- Vehicles or farm tractors/equipment that are only used on the roadway inadvertently, as specified in ORS 319.520
- Unlicensed vehicles or equipment that are utilized exclusively on privately owned property
What happens if I use dyed diesel in an on-road vehicle?
If you are caught in Oregon, you might be fined $10,000 each day. We’ve seen fuel tax evaders nabbed before, so be advised that Oregon is looking for any amount of dye in an on-road vehicle’s saddle tank. You will have maintenance concerns with your vehicle’s emission system if you use low sulfur or high sulfur fuel and your vehicle has a particulate trap.
Can you use dyed diesel in a diesel pickup truck?
Only if the pickup is solely for off-roading. If you plan to utilize that truck on a public road (even to cross a street) and colored fuel is discovered in it, state regulators can (and do) levy fines of up to $10,000 per occurrence. You can use off-road diesel as the vehicle’s fuel if you have a closed facility or a large farm and are not registering the vehicle for on-road use (thus the pickup must not leave the site). Any regulator observing dyed fuel in your vehicle will assume it’s an on-road pickup if you have license plates and it’s approved for on-road use.
How does the government test if someone used dyed diesel?
Typically, regulators may take a sample from the tank or spin the gasoline filter to look for obvious dyed fuel when checking for illegal usage of dyed fuel. If the fuel is clear (or even slightly pink) and they suspect dyed fuel was used in the car, they can use a special black light to show that dyed fuel was in touch with the vehicle. They’ll beam the light on the gasoline filter, the fuel tanks, and other portions of the engine compartment that may have come into contact with the fuel. They will cite the vehicle operator if they detect even a minor trace of the red-dye used in off-road fuel in specific regions. On the internet, there are kits for filtering dye out of gasoline to eliminate the color. Those kits won’t be able to remove enough dye to keep these lights from detecting it.
Why is off road diesel illegal for pick up trucks to use?
Off-road diesel is painted red to indicate that on-road fuel taxes have not been paid or that the fuel is tax-free. Fuel taxes for on-road fuel usage are levied by the federal government and state governments to help pay for the roads we all use. Fuel taxes are deductible if you use diesel for non-road equipment, machinery, or heating/boiler uses, and the fuel is coloured to make its tax-free status obvious. In a roadside or site level inspection, regulators can also shine a black light on certain parts of a vehicle’s system to see if colored gasoline is being used illegally.
What is the difference between dyed diesel and heating oil?
What’s going on in the Pacific Northwest right now? Typically, nothing. Diesel-colored heating oil is used. To reduce the overall cost of the fuel, most petroleum distributors sell the mainstream colored diesel grade for use as heating oil. Heating oil and dyed diesel have varied ASTM requirements depending on where you acquire it. Because furnaces and boilers can manage dirtier, lower-quality fuels than off-road equipment with a particle trap, heating oil specifications have larger tolerances than diesel criteria. Although heating oil is always a diesel fuel, dyed diesel for off-road machinery may have a distinct specification. In Oregon, for example, any dyed diesel fuel used in off-road equipment must include at least 5% biodiesel or renewable diesel. Heating oil and boilers are excluded from the biofuel mandate. Heating oil, on the other hand, can be free of biodiesel, while off-road diesel for machinery cannot.
Can refrigerated trailers or “reefers” use dyed diesel even if they are attached to a truck moving it on the highway?
Refrigerated trailers are, in fact, off-road vehicles. Because its engine is not pushing something along the road, the diesel-fueled refrigeration trailer is considered off-road equipment. Any ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel can be used in these trailers (dyed or clear). If you use on-road clear fuel in a refrigerated trailer and keep track and verification of the on-road fuel used in the off-road piece of equipment, you can get your fuel taxes returned. However, proof is required, so speak with your CPA or accountant.
What is the actual colour of diesel?
The majority of people never see the gasoline they put in their cars. It passes through the pump, down a black pipe, past a nozzle, and into the gas tank’s blackness. Natural gasoline is clear, white, or slightly amber in color. Diesel is either clear or yellow in color. However, fuels are dyed various colors in Canada and around the world to readily distinguish them for specific applications. It’s available at select gas stations, most notably cardlocks, as well as several marinas.
Just keep in mind that tampering with coloured fuel without permission might land you in jail for two years and cost you $1 million in fines, as is the case in Ontario.
Red gasoline and diesel are exempt from provincial fuel taxes in most provinces, although their use is limited. It can be used for a variety of things, including heating, lighting, and cooking. Off-road equipment is used in industries including farming and construction, as well as commercial maritime boats. In some jurisdictions, those who live north of the 51st parallel and more than 80 kilometers from a major highway or city are allowed to utilize it.
Red gasoline and diesel aren’t often true red; they’re more of a purple.
This is simply a variation of the previously mentioned kind.
What color should good diesel be?
It’s a big tragedy when expensive fuel in a storage tank “degrades” and begins to lose its quality.
This type of fuel loss costs businesses and users millions of dollars every year, whether it’s due to oxidation, hydrolysis, or a reaction to acidic byproducts of microbial contamination.
When the gasoline color changes, it’s the most obvious clue that anything is amiss. Diesel fuel that hasn’t been colored is a lovely amber-green tint. The same gasoline that has begun to deteriorate will darken. This is due to the fact that the heavier components of the fuel blend are no longer dissolved in the gasoline and are floating freely in it. They have a darker tint, which makes the fuel’s overall color darker. Have you ever come across tar and asphalt? Those are darker samples of heavier petroleum molecules.
In addition to a change in fuel color, changes in the normal amount of water accumulated in the storage tank, a higher than normal sediment content in drawn fuel samples, and any slimy or abnormal coatings on the surface and tank walls can all indicate that fuel in a storage tank is losing its storage quality.
The latter could indicate the presence of microbes.
Many times, users of stored fuel are unaware of a problem until they observe changes in the performance or behavior of the engines that are consuming the contaminated fuel. Filters that are excessively clogged, black smoke, and lower-than-normal RPMs at full throttle are all symptoms that the fuel’s combustion quality isn’t up to par.
Because it’s nearly difficult to reverse bad fuel in this method, this is a trick question. Some “fuel treatments” claim to be able to accomplish this. If you spot one of these, we recommend heading in the opposite direction as soon as possible. The most important component here is prevention: treating the fuel to protect it is significantly less expensive than fixing the difficulties created by bad fuel left to its own devices in the storage tank.
Does diesel have a color?
If you’re new to buying diesel fuel or haven’t done it in a while, you may notice that your purchases are a little more colorful than they used to be.
That’s because the US government now mandates that diesel be sold in one of three colors: clear, red, or blue dyed. If you’re going to buy diesel fuel, it’s important to know the tax and legal distinctions between these three types.
- Clear diesel – Clear diesel is an on-road vehicle-grade fuel sold at petrol stations across the United States. This type of fuel is intended for vehicles that travel the roads on a daily basis – cars, trucks, SUVs, and so on – as well as maritime vehicles. Clear diesel has a low sulfur level and is taxed in the United States. This fuel must be used in any diesel-powered vehicle that is licensed for on-road use.
- Most colored diesel sold in the United States is red in color, and it is dyed with the chemical ingredient Solvent Red 26 or 164. Only off-road vehicles and applications, such as farm tractors, heavy construction equipment, and generators, are permitted to utilize red-dyed gas. The sulfur level of red-dyed diesel is higher than that of clear diesel. This gasoline is not taxed in the United States because it is not intended for use in on-road vehicles.
- Blue-dyed diesel is identical to red-dyed diesel, with the exception that it is solely used in US government vehicles.
Dyed diesel regulations
Because colored diesel is not taxed and contains more sulfur, it is strictly regulated by federal and state legislation; penalties for unauthorized use of dyed fuel range from steep fines to lengthy prison sentences. Distributors cannot intentionally transport colored fuel with the intention of supplying on-road cars, and gasoline retailers cannot knowingly sell dyed diesel for use in on-road vehicles.
You cannot intentionally use colored diesel in an on-road vehicle if you are a retail diesel customer; if dye is found in an on-road vehicle, the consequences can be severe. Be astute!
What is green diesel fuel?
Green diesel, also known as renewable diesel, is a biofuel that is chemically identical to petroleum diesel fuel. Renewable diesel complies with ASTM D975 for petroleum diesel and can be utilized in existing petroleum pipelines, storage tanks, and diesel engines. It may be made from cellulosic biomass materials such agricultural leftovers, wood and sawdust, and switchgrass, and it meets the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program’s advanced biofuel requirements.
Hydrotreating, gasification, and pyrolysis are some of the thermochemical processes used to make renewable diesel. Learn more about the manufacturing of renewable diesel.
Because renewable diesel is chemically identical to petroleum diesel, it can be used in its purest form (known as R100) or blended with petroleum diesel in the same way as biodiesel is combined. R20 is a 20 percent renewable diesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel blend, whereas R5 is a 5 percent renewable diesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel blend.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the United States publishes data on renewable diesel fuel imports. RFS RIN (renewable identification number) data from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be used as a proxy for consumption. According to RIN data for 2019, total renewable diesel consumption in the United States was around 900 million gallons. At present moment, the EIA does not publish data on renewable diesel fuel production.
Because of the economic benefits of using renewable diesel produced in the United States and imported renewable diesel under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, the state consumes practically all of it.
What color is clear diesel?
The majority of colored diesel sold in the United States is red, and it is rarely available to the general public. However, you may come across this product at a gas station on occasion. Red diesel fuel is only allowed to be sold for use in off-road vehicles such as tractors, heavy construction equipment, and generators by law. This fuel is not taxed in the United States because it is not intended for use on public roads.
Instead of being red, the diesel used by US government vehicles is tinted blue. This color difference serves to distinguish clean petroleum used by the general population from that used by government vehicles on the road.
When colored diesel fuel is used, a widespread misperception is that it reduces performance. Because the chemical make-up of colored and clear diesel is the same, there is no demonstrated link between the different dyes and decreased performance.
What is the difference between red and green diesel?
The fundamental distinction between red and green diesel fuel has nothing to do with color; it has everything to do with how the fuel is used or produced. A dye is added to red diesel fuel to distinguish it from green diesel fuel, which is not green at all. Because red diesel fuel is intended for use as a heating oil or for off-road use, it is exempt from federal taxes, unlike gasoline and normal diesel fuel. Green diesel refers to the components of the fuel, which are derived from plant and animal lipids, as well as renewable energy sources.
Is diesel supposed to be yellow?
Your fuel should be clean and bright, whether it’s road diesel or red diesel. You should be able to see through it like water, regardless of whether it is yellow or red. If you’ve taken a sample of your gasoline and are wondering why it’s hazy, or even worse, why it’s lost all transparency and is now a milky consistency, you may have a water contamination problem. This article will explain what causes hazy and milky diesel fuel and how to remedy it, as well as how to avoid it from happening again.
So, what causes diesel fuel to look cloudy?
It’s crucial to know the difference between free, suspended, and emulsified fuel to understand why your fuel is milky or foggy.
As you may be aware, fuel can be polluted with water due to rain, humidity, and the natural water content in today’s biodiesel. You may not be aware that water contamination in diesel fuel can take two forms: free versus suspended and emulsified water. So, what’s the distinction?
- Free water – As the name implies, free water is present in the tank but exists independently of the fuel. It settles to the bottom of the tank, forming a water layer beneath the fuel. The diesel bug thrives here, putting your equipment, vehicles, and engines at risk.
- Suspended water – Your foggy diesel fuel is now the result of this form of water pollution. Suspended water is water that is bound to the fuel molecules and is mixed in with the fuel, giving it a murky appearance. When the diesel tank becomes too full to hold any more water, it begins to leak free water to the bottom of the tank.
- Emulsified water – As the fuel passes through pumps and filters, it is subjected to pressure variations, agitation, and strong cavitation, which causes the water content to totally emulsify, turning it from hazy to milky diesel fuel. There is essentially no separation between the fuel molecules and the water content at this point.
If you’ve taken a foggy diesel fuel sample and found it, we recommend taking a sample from the bottom of the tank as well, as you’re likely to have a problem with free water. Both types of water pollution must be addressed immediately, as they can have disastrous consequences such as diesel bug/nasty sludge growth, clogged filters, damaged pumps, engine failure, and fuel system corrosion.
How to fix cloudy diesel fuel?
If you notice milky or hazy diesel fuel, you must act quickly to avoid costly repairs and downtime. But how do you go about doing it?
1. Filters for fuel tanks
Standard fuel tank filters that remove water before it is distributed into your vehicle or equipment are an excellent solution for removing free water, but they do not remove emulsified water. While they are a cost-effective method for dealing with one aspect of fuel pollution, they cannot remove the water that causes your diesel to seem hazy. Furthermore, ordinary gasoline tank filters only address the issue after the fuel has been delivered. They do not alleviate the difficulties associated with diesel bug growth and sludge formation since they do not aim to eliminate the water content while it is resting in the tank.
2. Polishing of the fuel
Fuel polishing is a method of removing cloudiness from diesel fuel. This service is normally performed by a professional on a regular basis and entails withdrawing the fuel from the tank and passing it through highly effective filters that eliminate pollution to EN590 diesel fuel quality standards. Both the free and emulsified water content in the fuel will be reduced to the required 200ppm after fuel polishing. But what happens to your tank’s water content between fuel polishing services?
3. Water absorber for the Aquafighter fuel tank
While alternative diesel tank water absorbers are available, Aquafighter is the only fuel tank water absorber that also eliminates the suspended and emulsified water that creates hazy and milky gasoline.
The beauty of this solution is that all you have to do is drop Aquafighter into a storage tank, genset belly tank, or vehicle fuel tank through the biggest aperture, and the diesel tank water absorber reduces water content levels to less than 75ppm. As a result, the EN590 diesel fuel specifications of 200ppm are met and exceeded. The Aquafighter fuel tank water absorber works in this way to maintain your fuel tank free of water and foggy fuel at all times, without the need to remove the fuel first.
Now that you know what milky or foggy diesel fuel is, you’ll understand why it’s so important and how to address this water pollution side effect before it becomes a major problem.
What color is off-road diesel fuel?
On-road and off-road diesel fuels have the same chemical composition. On-road diesel, commonly known as clear diesel, is available at your neighborhood gas station. Off-road diesel is dyed red and supplied in quantity through wholesalers. Color, price, and intended usage are the only differences.
How long does green diesel stay in tank?
It can last up to 6 months in the system. The exaust might be swabbed and/or the tank dipped by customs.
A fine of exceeding €1000 is imposed on you. This is the first offense. They can remove your car, jeep, or van if you commit a second offense, and you must pay any outstanding taxes or other fees owed on the vehicle.
But seriously, fill the tank to the gunnells, leave it alone until the light comes on, and then refill it to the brim. That should get rid of it.
What colour is diesel in South Africa?
“The color of the diesel nozzle is yellow because diesel tends to be yellow in color,” Robertson explained. He claimed that because the nozzle on leaded petrol is larger than that on unleaded fuel, it will not fit into the tank.