DIESEL ENGINE
FUEL OIL SPECIFICATIONS
The quality of the fuel oil used for high-speed diesel engine operation is a major factor in satisfactory engine performance
and life. The fuel oils selected must be clean, completely distilled, stable and non-corrosive. Enlist the aid of your supplier
in obtaining proper fuel oil. The responsibility for clean fuel lies with the fuel supplier as well as with the operator.
DISTILLATION RANGE, CETANE NUMBER, and SULFUR CONTENT are three of the most important properties in the
selection of diesel fuels for optimum combustion and minimum wear. Engine speed, load, and atmospheric temperature
influence the selection of the fuels with respect to distillation range and cetane number. THE SULFUR CONTENT OF
THE FUEL MUST BE AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, to avoid excessive deposit formation and premature wear.
Diesel fuels are generally marketed according to ASTM DESIGNA- TION D975 and only distillate fuels No. ID and 2D are
considered satisfactory for diesel engines. These fuels should not be confused with the domestic type furnace oils ASTM
D396 which have similar properties but are not always satisfactory for engine use due to their varying composition, cetane
number, and distillation range.
As a guide to the selection of the proper fuel oil for various applications refer to the Fuel Oil Selection Chart and the ASTM
Classification.
FUEL OIL SELECTION CHART
General
Final
Cetane
Sulfur
Type
Fuel
Boiling Point
Number
Content
Engine Service
Classification
(Max.)
(Min.)
(Max.)
Light load and speed
with considerable Idling
No. 1-D
5500F
45
0.30%
Winter No. 1-D
6000F
40
0.50%
Light load and speed
Summer No.1-D
600OF
45
0.50%
Winter No. I-D
600F
45
0.50%
Medium load and speed
Summer No. 2-D
6750F
45
0.50%
Heavy load and high
Winter No. 2-D
6750F
45
0.50%
speed with Idling
Summer No. 2-D
6750F
40
0.50%
Heavy load and high speed
No. 2-D
675oF
45
0.50%
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