What is the formulation of blended diesel?
3 Answers
Diesel is a mixture of complex hydrocarbons (with carbon atom numbers ranging approximately from 10 to 22). It is primarily blended from diesel fractions produced through processes such as crude oil distillation, catalytic cracking, thermal cracking, hydrocracking, and petroleum coking. It is categorized into two main types: light diesel (boiling point range approximately 180～370℃) and heavy diesel (boiling point range approximately 350～410℃). Automotive diesel grades include: No. 0, -10, -20, -35, +5, +10, etc. Additional information: Diesel standards have several key indicators: cetane number, freezing point, flash point, viscosity, as well as copper corrosion, distillation range, sulfur content, ash content, etc. During blending, the experimental ratio is adjusted according to the blending materials to meet the required standards.
I've been driving trucks for over 20 years and often deal with blended diesel, which essentially means adding other substances to diesel to improve performance or save costs. The formula typically involves mixing standard diesel with biodiesel, ethanol, etc. For example, B20 indicates 20% biodiesel plus 80% pure diesel. I've personally tried adding some fuel additives to diesel to improve cleanliness, but you have to be careful with the ratio—messing it up can easily clog the fuel pump or cause carbon buildup. Blending is done to reduce costs or for environmental reasons, but you should check your local regulations, as some places don't allow arbitrary mixing. I also recommend regularly changing the oil filter to prevent issues, as low-quality blends can wear out the engine. In short, blending diesel is feasible, but it must be done according to standards—don’t mix randomly, or you’ll end up damaging your vehicle and costing yourself more money.
As a mechanic who has worked on countless diesel vehicles, I don't think diesel blending formulas are mysterious at all. The basic approach is to mix mineral diesel with other components, with specific ratios depending on the target. Common practices include blending 5%-20% biodiesel or adding lubricity enhancers to improve combustion efficiency. The formula should be designed to avoid gum deposits from high biodiesel ratios affecting the injection system. I've seen many vehicle owners try to save money with such blends, only to end up with increased engine failures. While formulation details vary by brand, the key is ensuring thorough mixing for proper viscosity. Don't randomly add additives yourself - start by purchasing from reputable gas stations and check for API certification. Proper blending can extend engine life, but poor-quality mixtures will accelerate wear.
