What are the routine inspection items for diesel fuel?
3 Answers
Routine inspection items for automotive gasoline and diesel fuel include: density, distillation range, copper strip corrosion, mercaptan sulfur, vapor pressure, oxidation stability, benzene content, oxygen content, sulfur content, water and mechanical impurities, actual gum, carbon residue, octane number, cetane number, etc. There are also special items such as diesel lubricity, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detection, and quinizarin content detection in "red oil". Additional information: 1. Petroleum product testing scope: Includes analysis and testing of automotive gasoline, automotive diesel, naphtha, solvent oil, methanol gasoline, biodiesel, aviation kerosene, fuel oil, lubricating oil, grease, paraffin, asphalt, petroleum coke products, and crude oil evaluation. 2. Petrochemical product testing scope includes: petroleum benzene, petroleum toluene, para (ortho, meta) xylene, mixed aromatics, methyl tert-butyl ether, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, acetone, butanone, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, methyl acetate, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, acrylate, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, etc. Routine inspection items include: purity analysis, impurity analysis, distillation range, density, acidity, color, and metal element analysis.
I've been driving trucks for twenty years, and diesel testing is something you really need to take seriously to avoid major issues. Routine checks should include water content because too much water can prevent the engine from starting and corrode components; sulfur levels should be low, as current environmental standards are strict—exceeding them can lead to black smoke emissions, affecting air quality; viscosity must be appropriate, or the fuel pump will face excessive pressure and wear out quickly; the freezing point is critical in winter to prevent diesel from freezing and immobilizing the vehicle; flash point testing is essential for safety to prevent fires during storage. Once, I had water in my fuel tank and only found out after testing—I almost broke down on the highway. I recommend checking these items when refueling—it saves money, gives peace of mind, and extends engine life.
I've worked in an auto repair shop, and diesel testing involves several key aspects: moisture testing is fundamental, as high moisture levels can cause engine rust; sulfur content must meet standards, with modern vehicles requiring low sulfur to reduce environmental pollution; viscosity checks the flow properties, as incorrect viscosity affects fuel delivery; the pour point or cold filter plugging point is essential for cold weather to ensure vehicle startup; and the flash point ensures safe transportation. Often, vehicles delay testing, leading to major repairs due to fuel issues. I advise owners to perform quick tests quarterly or during seasonal changes—a small investment to prevent hazards, and pairing with onboard sensors enhances accuracy.
