Diesel Fuels

Morgan Oil delivers gasoline, diesel fuels, heating oil, and kerosene to commercial and industrial customers including: trucking, logging, construction, industrial, manufacturing, governmental, power generation, etc. Over the years fuels have been a vital part of our business. We have expanded our fueling to fleets, golf courses, power generation including emergency backup generators, and industrial customers.

What is Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel (ULSD)?

  • ULSD is diesel fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 15 ppm (parts per million) and is often referred to as S 15. S 15, S500, and S5000 are designations for diesel fuels that meet 15 ppm, 500 ppm, and 5,000 ppm maximum sulfur content, respectively.
  • ULSD will be required for all 2007 and later model year on-road diesel engines.

What is the chemical difference in the ULSD fuel?

There is no major chemical difference between current diesel fuels and ULSD. ULSD is just further processed to remove more sulfur. There are, however, certain fuel characteristics that may be affected:

  • Lubricity – Diesel fuel must adequately lubricate the fuel injection system components. The processing required to reduce sulfur to 15 ppm also removes naturally occurring lubricity agents in diesel fuel. All ULSD fuel will meet the required lubricity specification. Lubricity additives will be used if needed.
  • Fuel Density – The processing required to reduce sulfur to 15 ppm can reduce density of the diesel fuel, resulting in a slight reduction in energy content (BTU/ gal).
  • Cetane – The processing required to reduce sulfur to 15 ppm reduces the aromatics content resulting in an increase to the cetane number. Any improvement in cetane will vary with refinery source.
  • Cold Flow – The processing required to reduce sulfur to 15 ppm may affect cold flow response. Cold flow requirements change seasonally and regionally and ULSD will meet the local requirements by use of appropriate additives and/or blending with No.1 ULSD.

Why do I need to use the ULSD fuel in my new 2007 engines?

  • Primarily because use of higher sulfur fuels can damage engine exhaust after-treatment devices designed to reduce emissions.
  • EPA states these new regulations will significantly reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions.
  • EPA has established a comprehensive program to regulate diesel fuel along with the production of diesel engines.
  • Model Year 2007 diesel engines will be required to meet more stringent emissions requirements that will likely result in the use of high-efficiency catalytic exhaust emission control devices.