Distillate fuel oil is a broad term for one of the petroleum fractions produced in traditional distillation processes. Diesel fuels and fuel oils are included. On-highway diesel engines, such as those in trucks and automobiles, as well as off-highway engines, such as those in train locomotives and agricultural machinery, use No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 diesel fuel. Fuel oils with the numbers No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 are largely utilized for space heating and electric power generation.
No. 1 Distillate: A light petroleum distillate that can be used as a diesel fuel or a fuel oil (see No. 1 Diesel Fuel). See No. 1 Fuel Oil for more information.
- No. 1 Diesel Fuel: A light distillate fuel oil that satisfies ASTM Specification D 975 criteria and has distillation temperatures of 550 degrees Fahrenheit at the 90% mark. It’s found in high-performance diesel engines like those seen in city buses and other comparable vehicles. See No. 1Distillate for more information.
- No. 1 Fuel Oil: A light distillate fuel oil that satisfies ASTM Specification D 396 and has distillation temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit at the 10% recovery point and 550 degrees Fahrenheit at the 90% recovery point. It’s mostly used as a fuel source for portable outdoor stoves and warmers. See No. 1Distillate for more information.
No. 2 Distillate: A petroleum distillate that can be used as a diesel fuel or a fuel oil (see No. 2 Diesel Fuel definition). No. 2 Fuel oil is a good example.
- No. 2 Diesel Fuel: A fuel that fulfills the ASTM Specification D 975 criteria and has a distillation temperature of 640 degrees Fahrenheit at the 90% recovery point. It’s found in high-speed diesel engines like those found in locomotives, trucks, and cars. See No. 2Distillate for more information.
- No. 2 fuel oil (heating oil): A distillate fuel oil that meets ASTM Specification D 396 and has distillation temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit at the 10% recovery point and 640 degrees Fahrenheit at the 90% recovery point. It’s utilized in atomizing type burners for home heating or commercial/industrial burner units with a moderate capacity. See No. 2Distillate for more information.
No. 4 Fuel is a distillate fuel oil that is manufactured by combining distillate and residual fuel oil stocks. It meets ASTM Specification D 396 or Federal Specification VV-F-815C and is widely utilized in industrial plants and commercial burner systems that lack preheating capabilities. It also contains No. 4 diesel fuel, which is suitable for low- and medium-speed diesel engines and meets ASTM Specification D 975.
Is diesel fuel the same as #1 fuel oil?
In terms of chemical composition, diesel fuel and #2 fuel oil are nearly identical. The key distinction is in how they are intended to be used. #2 fuel oil is tax-free, which keeps prices low and makes it easier for families to heat their homes. After all, in the cold, this is a need. Instead of cars, it’s used in boilers and furnaces. It even has the same red color as untaxed diesel. Because of its intended usage, this fuel oil is commonly referred to as home heating oil.
For lower viscosity and improved furnace efficiency, #2 fuel oil can be blended with #1 fuel oil. This is also known as the kerosene mix or the home heating oil winter blend by some companies.
Given their similarities, these two types of fuel might theoretically be used interchangeably. However, there are several reasons why this is not commonly done in practice. If your furnace runs out of fuel and deliveries are delayed, you can go to a pump and purchase diesel as an alternative. Because diesel is more expensive than N#2 fuel oil, it’s not practicable for long-term use, although it might be worth it in an emergency.
Putting #2 fuel oil in a diesel vehicle is never a good idea. It’s against the law due to tax rules. If you’re pulled over and the cops notice you’re using red-dyed gas, you could face charges. Follow the law and only use each product for its authorized use.
What’s the difference between fuel oil and diesel fuel?
When compared to diesel fuel, the composition of heating oils used in your home is heavier. They have nearly identical heat-giving properties. A gallon of common heating oil can create 138,500 Btu (British Thermal Unit), whereas a gallon of diesel can only provide roughly 137,500 Btu.
When compared to diesel, heating oil might have a higher or lower Btu depending on the type.
Is fuel oil the same as off-road diesel?
The difference between heating oil, off-road diesel fuel, and on-road diesel fuel is a frequent question and misconception that I receive from customers. Is there a distinction? Yes. Price, efficiency, taxation, and even equipment failure can all be affected by the variances between these fuels. I’m writing this specifically for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and each particular fuel.
Heating Oil – Heating oil is a colored fuel with a sulfur concentration of 2,000 parts per million (parts per million). Pennsylvania is the only Northeastern state that has yet to vote on or adopt legislation lowering the sulfur content of heating oil to 15 parts per million. If they haven’t already, most Northeastern states have paved the way for a drop in the sulfur content of heating oil, either in phases or all at once. Most states now have a heating oil specification with a minimal sulfur concentration of st, 2016, but there are still numerous political obstacles to overcome. Almost all state, local, and independent heating oil dealers in Pennsylvania support switching to the Ultra-Low Sulfur spec (ULS) as soon as possible.
Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel or Off-Road Diesel Fuel Dyed Diesel Fuel (Off-Road Diesel Fuel is known by a variety of acronyms, including Dyed Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel and Non-Road Locomotive Marine, to name a few.) Off-Road Diesel Fuel (or, as we’ll refer to it in this article, Off-Road Diesel Fuel) is not the same as heating oil. Even though they are the same color, red (the red dye in the fuel is used to identify for tax purposes), Heating Oil and Off-Road Diesel Fuel are not the same fuel. Off-Road Diesel Fuel in Pennsylvania is Ultra-Low Sulfur, which means it won’t damage your equipment’s warranty. Dye has no effect on performance and has no effect on the equipment. Please double-check with the manufacturer before using to ensure that this is the case, since some manufacturers have used this tactic in the past to avoid paying warranty claims. Boroughs and municipalities will save money by using NRLM since they will not have to pay taxes on the fuel when it is delivered.
On-Road Diesel Fuel — On-Road Diesel Fuel is clear or has a subtle greenish tint to it. The state requires that on-road diesel fuel have a minimum of 2% biodiesel blend and be Ultra-Low Sulfur.
Finally, many individuals are unaware of the benefits of biodiesel fuel. To be clear, Bio-Diesel or BIOHEAT is a mixture of biodegradable organic ingredients like soybean oil. It’s a soy-based fuel made in the United States that helps to sustain our country’s farmers while also reducing our reliance on foreign oil. It has the highest BTU concentration of any alternative fuel and burns exceedingly cleanly. It is not created in the same way as ethanol is, in that it removes food from the food chain. It’s actually a byproduct of the standard soy bean processing. It can also be created from a variety of other ingredients, including used cooking oil and grease, linseed oil, coconut oil, and coffee beans, to mention a few.
What is the difference between #1 and #2 fuel oil?
The list below is arranged in order of lightest to heaviest oil. Some of these fuel oils may be familiar to you, while others are only used in specific situations:
Kerosene
The lightest fuel oil on this list is kerosene, which is the first of the distillates. It’s made by refining and purifying No. 1 fuel oil till it’s cleaner and purer. It is less viscous and has a lower boiling point than any of the following fuel oils because it is one of the lightest oils. Kerosene heaters are frequently used by anyone who require portable heat, especially if they are working indoors on new construction. Because kerosene is one of the cleaner-burning fuels, it’s quite safe to use indoors.
When the electricity goes out, one of the most popular ways individuals use kerosene is to fuel kerosene lamps for emergency lighting. Kerosene lamps are also attractive to some people. Regardless, “lamp oil” is frequently offered at high costs in stores and has additions like scents and odor eliminators to make it more pleasant to burn.
No. 1 Fuel Oil
No. 1 fuel oil is similar to kerosene but thicker. This means it has a greater boiling point, is less refined, and has a higher viscosity. It has a lighter consistency than No. 2 fuel oil. As a result, as compared to No. 2 fuel oil, it generates fewer British thermal units (Btu). The fraction of oil that boils out during the petroleum distillation process just before the manufacture of gasoline is known as No. 1 fuel oil.
Outdoor stoves and portable heaters use No. 1 fuel oil as a source of energy. Because of its heavier nature, it’s recommended to limit the usage of No. 1 fuel oil for heating to the outdoors. It emits additional contaminants into the air as it burns, which can be unhealthy to breathe over time.
Diesel Fuel
This fuel oil is well-known, as it can be found at many gas stations across the Northeast and the United States. It’s similar to No. 2 fuel oil, but it’s used for a variety of reasons. Diesel fuel is provided in two varieties:
- Diesel fuel that hasn’t been taxed: This type of diesel hasn’t had any government taxes added to it. Companies dye it red to distinguish it from taxed diesel fuel, making it easily recognizable as tax-free. Because it has a reduced sulfur level, people utilize untaxed diesel fuel to power off-road vehicles like construction machinery. In certain circumstances, untaxed diesel fuel is a preferable choice for the environment. It is prohibited to use untaxed diesel in situations where taxed diesel is required.
- Taxed diesel fuel is transparent with a faint greenish tint and is undyed. Taxes are included in the price of this type of diesel at the pump. When going on public highways, people utilize taxed diesel in their diesel-powered vehicles. Off-road vehicles can run on taxed diesel, but you’ll pay a higher premium for the privilege.
Some individuals are concerned that the dye in untaxed diesel may diminish its efficiency and cause pollution. During combustion, however, the dye burns alongside the fuel with no signs of diminished efficiency or pollution. In an off-road vehicle, remember to use only untaxed diesel fuel. Police will occasionally check for taxable diesel fuel in road cars, and if you use untaxed fuel improperly, you could face significant fines and possibly jail time.
The “diesel fuel winter blend” is a different sort of diesel. Regular diesel fuel is mixed with a modest amount of No. 1 fuel oil in this mixture. The goal is to reduce sludge and gel, which can be a problem with ordinary diesel during the winter. The winter diesel fuel blend can survive the cold weather’s detrimental effects.
No. 2 Fuel Oil
Number two Although fuel oil and diesel fuel are essentially identical, they are used for distinct purposes. More than a difference in chemical makeup, the different names reflect the fuels’ different purposes.
Because No. 2 fuel oil is not taxed, it has the same red-dyed appearance as untaxed diesel fuel. Because consumers use it to heat their houses with boilers or furnaces, No. 2 fuel oil is tax-free. To distinguish No. 2 oil from diesel fuel, many people call it “home heating oil” or “normal fuel oil.”
No. 2 fuel oil, like diesel fuel, comes in a winterized form known as “home heating oil winter mix.” This blend blends No. 2 and No. 1 heating oils to make it less viscous and easier to use in your furnace or boiler. To underline its cleaner-burning and less viscous features, some businesses term this product “kerosene blend.”
No. 3 Fuel Oil
Because of its low viscosity, No. 3 fuel oil was originally a popular choice for burners. This changed when ASTM International merged No. 3 and No. 2 fuel oils to phase out No. 3 fuel oil. No. 3 fuel oil is no longer often used or mentioned. Its effect has been assimilated into the No. 2 fuel oil specification since the mid-1900s.
No. 4 Fuel Oil
The transition fuel that separates the distillate oils from the residual oils is No. 4 fuel oil. No. 4 fuel oil is made by blending a distillate, such as No. 2 fuel oil, with the remaining No. 5 fuel oil. Power plants, stationary engines, and commercial heating boilers without preheaters are the most common applications. “Bunker oil,” “diesel distillate,” “residual fuel oil,” or “heavy distillate” are all terms used to describe this oil. It emits pollutants like as sulfur and nickel when burned.
No. 5 Fuel Oil
People make No. 5 fuel oil by combining a distillate oil with a residual oil, much like they do with No. 4 fuel oil. It is used in identical situations as No. 4 fuel oil, with the exception that it must be prepared in order to atomize properly and combust. Its viscosity can be reduced by mixing it with No. 2 fuel oil, allowing it to be pumped without the requirement for preheating. Fuel oil No. 5 is also known as “Navy special” or “furnace fuel oil.”
No. 6 Fuel Oil
After the following fuels have been distilled or boiled off, No. 6 fuel oil is what’s left in the petroleum distillation process. Pavers make asphalt from No. 6 fuel oil, which is used to pave roads and driveways. This fuel is also used in commercial generators and heavy-duty engines to generate energy. It, like No. 4 fuel oil, can leave pollutants such as nickel and sulfur behind when used in commercial boilers for heating buildings.
Is No 1 diesel the same as kerosene?
If you go about on the internet, you can come across a forum question like this:
In most cases, the responses are mixed. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be OK,’ said half of the people. “Watch out for ________,” the other half will warn.
Regular diesel is referred to as #2 diesel fuel oil, whereas kerosene is referred to as #1 diesel fuel oil. Some people believe it is similar enough to conventional (#2) diesel fuel that they may try to use it interchangeably. What would motivate them to do so, and what problems may they face?
What Makes Kerosene What It Is
The qualities of kerosene determine what happens when it is burned. Because kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2, it is referred to as #1 diesel. Because of its smaller weight, it has somewhat less energy – roughly 135,000 BTU per gallon vs. 139,000 BTU for #2.
Aromatic compounds are often concentrated in #2 and heavier diesel fuel oils; kerosene does not have extremely significant levels of them. This is one of the reasons why #2 diesel burns drier and with less lubricity than kerosene.
Drier burn
The most prevalent worry is kerosene’s dry burn, which can harm gasoline pumps. In comparison to #2 diesel, kerosene has extremely little lubricity. When running on kerosene, gasoline pumps without lubricity suffer a lot of wear and may burn out. Additional wearable pieces, such as rings, gaskets, and valves, are mentioned by some. Adding some automatic transmission fluid to the kerosene is a simple cure for this. In this case, 2-cycle oil can also be used.
Hotter burn?
Some will argue that kerosene burns hotter than #2 diesel, resulting in worries about rings being burned out. Others argue that because kerosene has a lower energy value, it will not burn at a higher temperature.
The fact that kerosene has less total energy than #2 is undeniable. However, having less total energy simply means that a gallon of kerosene produces less total heat than a gallon of standard on-road diesel.
Kerosene has a lower viscosity than gasoline, which allows it to burn at a higher temperature in an engine.
Cutting Diesel with Kerosene
Kerosene can be combined with diesel fuel for a few advantages. Kerosene is particularly beneficial in the winter for modifying the cold weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel. The rule of thumb is that adding ten percent kerosene to a diesel fuel blend lowers the cold filter plugging point by five degrees. It may be more cost effective to use kerosene as a mixer than than a cold flow polymer in extremely cold climates.
To reduce emissions, kerosene and #2 are mixed together. According to the theory, kerosene “burns cleaner” than #2, resulting in lesser pollutants.
What is Number 1 diesel used for?
The fundamental difference between Diesel #1 and Diesel #2 is the cetane rating, which, like the octane of gasoline, indicates igniting ease. It’s all about fuel efficiency, volatility, and seasonality, really.
Less wear on your engines’ batteries implies a faster and more efficient start. The increased cetane grade also helps diesel engines run more smoothly by lowering maintenance requirements.
The additional lubricants in Premium Diesel assist keep fuel system parts moving easily. The fuel pump’s and other fuel system components’ lives are extended as a result of the reduced friction.
Fuel systems can become clogged with sediments and other particles over time. While the engine is operating, detergents are injected to Diesel #1 to clean injectors and other fuel system components. Not only does a clean fuel system last longer, but it also enhances fuel efficiency and horsepower production.
Diesel #1 contains lubricants and detergents, as well as other fuel additives that improve engine performance and save downtime. Even in a well-sealed fuel system, air moisture can find its way in and cause major engine problems. Demulsifiers in premium Diesel work to separate emulsified water from the fuel so that it can be filtered out; even in a well-sealed fuel system, air moisture can find its way in and cause major engine problems. Corrosion inhibitors keep rust and corrosion at bay, while stabilizers keep blockages and buildup at bay.
Diesel #1 is sometimes known as winter diesel since it operates better in colder conditions than Diesel #2. It has a lower viscosity and does not gel when exposed to cold temperatures. Most stations sell a premium Diesel blend that is tailored to the local climate.
While premium diesel has a number of advantages, such as fewer maintenance and equipment downtime, regular diesel is less expensive at the pump, which is an essential consideration. However, total cost of ownership should take into account not only the cost savings from the fuel, but also the impact on ongoing maintenance costs. The age and size of your fleet may play a role in deciding between Diesel #1 and Diesel #2.
When deciding between Diesel #1 and Diesel #2 for your fleet, keep in mind that premium Diesel quality differs from station to station. If you choose Diesel #1, make sure your drivers get their fuel at reliable high-volume stations.
Do you want to learn more about the effects of diesel choices on fuel systems? To talk with an equipment professional, contact your nearest Papé Kenworth office now.
Is diesel oil different than gas oil?
To obtain the desired performance, gasoline and diesel engine oils are created by blending basic oils and additives.
When we look at the lubricant’s required performance for each engine type, however, we start to see some differences.
The Viscosity
One of the most significant lubricant factors is viscosity, which comes to mind when thinking about engine oil. As a result, determining the proper viscosity is critical.
When compared to gas engine oil, diesel engine oil has a higher viscosity and lower temperature pumpability. If it was used in gas engines, it might cause heat generation, early wear and tear, and other problems.
The Additive Levels
As previously stated, additives are an important component of engine oils. Each engine oil, on the other hand, has a distinct level of per volume and varied components.
Diesel engine oil has more compounds, allowing it to withstand the high pressures of the engine, but such additives added to gasoline oil might have an adverse effect on the car’s performance, resulting in decreased compression and efficiency.
The Replacement Intervals
With the various types of engine oils on the market, each has a varied suggested lifespan, and diesel oil lasts longer and requires fewer oil changes due to the high quantity of additives.
The Catalytic Converter & Emissions
A catalytic converter is a part of the exhaust system that is located between the engine and the muffler and contains porous metal filler. Its job is to convert hazardous pollutants from the engine into stable byproducts before they enter the atmosphere.
Diesel engine oils have a greater anti-wear level, and diesel catalytic converters are intended to handle it, whereas gasoline catalytic converters are not. As a result, using diesel engine oil in a gasoline engine is not recommended.
Why is red diesel illegal?
Why is it unlawful to use red diesel? Because it has a lower fuel duty, red diesel is unlawful because it is not approved for use on public roadways. As a result, using red diesel on a public road is deemed tax avoidance, and is thus prohibited.