In this blog, we explore the impact of sulfur in ultra-low-sulfur diesel and other similar fuels.
Ultra-low-sulfur diesel is a mainstay in modern fueling, and many drivers may not think twice about what “ultra-low-sulfur” actually means. Sure, sulfur itself has an incredibly noticeable odor, but why is a lower sulfur content better in fuel? You may be surprised to learn that a fuel’s sulfur content is less relevant to your engine’s performance than it is to the emission control systems present in modern diesel-powered vehicles. In this blog, we explore the impact of sulfur in ultra-low-sulfur diesel and other similar fuels.
What Makes Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel Different from Low-Sulfur Diesel?
Ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) and low-sulfur diesel (LSD) seem pretty similar at first glance. The primary difference between ULSD and LSD is the maximum amount of sulfur allowed in each: up to 15 ppm for ULSD and up to 500 ppm for LSD. While a difference of 485 parts per million may not seem like much, this small difference can have a massive impact on a modern car’s emission control systems. Sulfur can wreak havoc on systems designed to lessen the environmental impact of a diesel engine’s emissions, and damage to these pollution control devices can be costly to fix. Therefore, ULSD is the best choice for vehicles with emission control systems.
Why Have Many Consumers Made the Switch to Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel?
The fuels we use to power vehicles, machines, and heating systems have changed over time thanks to scientific research, advances in fuel efficiency, and government regulations. The U.S. government implemented mandates in 2010 that required pumps to offer ULSD instead of LSD. Although the switch for most consumers from LSD to ULSD was a compulsory one, using ULSD in modern diesel vehicles has significant benefits in terms of maintenance costs and environmental impact.
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