Diesel Fuel Keeping Pace with Diesel Engine Technology

This paper summarizes the impact of recent developments in diesel fuel and the effect of these changes in conjunction with emerging compression-ignition engine technologies. Some changes were made to reduce exhaust emissions or were the result of advancements in aftertreatment systems. These changes included fuel properties such as aromatic and sulfur content, cetane number, density, lubricity, and viscosity. Other changes included the introduction of blending components and additives. Blending components included such things as water, ethanol, and bio-mass materials. The pros and cons related to these changes in diesel fuel technologies are discussed.