• Under the 1990 US Clean Air Act, low-sulphur diesel
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
will become mandatory for road vehicles in the US from October.
The fuel industry is said to have invested $3 billion in adapting its refineries to treat diesel. Maximum sulphur content is limited to 0.05% by weight and the aromatic content to 35%—the California limit will be 10%.
Pump prices are expected to rise by as much as 12 cents per US gallon.
The EC is calling for a similar reduction in sulphur content, but not until October 1996.
Fuels with higher cetane ratings are said to produce lower emissions. US cetane levels are expected to rise from 40 to 59; Europe has an average cetane rating of 50.
As cleaner fuels reduce engine lubricant contamination engine manufacturers will in theory be able to extend drain intervals. On the downside it is thought that gum deposits could develop in stored fuel without the antioxidant sulphur content, which may cause filter plugging and blocked injectors.
An inhibitor may be needed but the US experience is expected to solve any problems by the time low-sulphur diesel becomes generally available in the UK.