Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Coming to the USA
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 06. 4.06
June 1 was the first day of implementation of the new "Ultra Low Sulfur" diesel fuel standards in the USA, but the new fuel and emission control systems won't be everywhere until 2010. By then, sulfur will be down to 15 parts per million (ppm) from its current 500 ppm, a 97% reduction. As far as we know, the major problem with having high quantities of sulfur in diesel fuel is that it makes emission-control equipment fail much faster and keeps automakers from installing the latest technology of pollution-control systems on their vehicles. This means that recent diesel vehicles that don't have the latest emission technology won't be much cleaner, but they won't degrade as much with time, and old diesel vehicles that have already been affected won't see much improvement. It is with 2007 model-year diesel vehicles that the difference will be seen (and smelled): They will have to meet the new EPA Tier 2 emissions specifications and be refuelled only with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). But lets not rejoice too fast, diesel - even ULSD - is still dirtier than gasoline. This new "clean" diesel is only clean compared to the old version. We'll breathe better when we start seeing diesel cars and trucks that meet SULEV and PZEV emission standards (or at the very least ULEV). The best way to reduce diesel pollution is still to ship less stuff over long distances - produce more locally - and to use trains instead of trucks. ::NRDC, ::Green Car Congress
Obligatory bio diesel comment: don't forget that biodiesel is pretty clean, smells nice, and actually cheaper right now
http://bayareabiofuel.com/fuel.php
The reason to get sulfer out of course is to reduce formation of SOX, which leads to the corrosive acid gases that are so familiar to the ugly rusting urban cores, and a major cause of acid rain. To meet the standard, US refineries must accomplish major retooling of their processes, a huge investment that they will no doubt argue should now be better spent on making more gasoline. The other interesting dimension is that making low sulfer fuel is far more difficult when using high sulfer crude as originate from Alberta Tar Sands Venezuelan reserves. The geopolitical dimension of this could throw a real crimp in the ascendancy of fuel efficient diesel engines in passenger cars. Lets hope not.
why not promote the use of oil seed instead of bashing those of use who choose to use diesle engines??
Can anyone tell me the percentage of less MPG there would be from using the new low sulfer fuel for trucks/buses ?
How about little truth that we are well behind international standards.
Well europeans already produce cars with very high emission standards surpassing california standards and MPG reaching 40-60. Example mercedes benz B200 CDI. I was surprized that mercedes dealer told me that the engine would get damaged because of bad diesel we have here and this car can not be sold in USA. Are we afraid of better product and competition?
Yet USA produces all the SUV's, crossover running on gas and ranging maximum 28 MPG. The new diesel engines run on clean and BIO diesel. Sure you say there are hybrid cars on the market but did anyone think about safe disposal of millions of the batteries ? Or we have to wait till that becomes hazard and big problem?
With all my heart I vote for clean diesel and opening our market to safe and very economical import diesel cars.
Now ultra low sulfer diesel fuel on Guam, how will the new production diesel engines perform with none ultra low sulfer fuel?
Joe Atalig