Diesel fuel specific weight: weight of 1 liter
Diesel fuel, often called diesel or gas oil in everyday speech, is fuel used in diesel internal combustion engines. This petroleum refining product has been used for decades, mainly as fuel for agricultural and military machinery, railway transport, diesel generators and boiler plants, and also in metal and leather processing.
Diesel fuel characteristics, operating temperature parameters, and chemical and physical properties are described in relevant standards. Older norms for gas oil are not suitable for evaluating modern diesel fuel used in high-speed engines.
Diesel Fuel Classification
Today each country has its own diesel fuel quality standards, but there are basic classification categories common to any type of diesel fuel and described in interstate standards GOST 32511-2013 (EN 590:2009), 305-2013 and 2517-2012.
Distillate diesel fuel is used for high-speed engines, while residual fuel is used for less demanding operating conditions. Unlike hydrotreated kerosene-gas oil fractions of distillate fuel, residual fuel consists of a mixture of fuel oils and kerosene-gas oil fractions.
The main classification principle is seasonality.
- Summer diesel.
It can be used only at above-zero temperatures. The specific weight of summer diesel is 860 kg/m3. The theoretical density of any diesel fuel type is determined at +20 ºC. As temperature rises, specific weight decreases by about 0.0007 g/cm3, and as temperature falls it increases accordingly.
At -5 ºC, paraffins in summer diesel thicken and clog the system. Additives help delay thickening, but they do not change the increased density of summer fuel at subzero temperatures. The flash point is 62 ºC.
- Winter diesel.
The recommended operating temperature is from -20 ºC to -35 ºC. The specific weight of winter diesel is 840 kg/m3. At -35 degrees Celsius it solidifies. Flash occurs at +40 ºC.
- Arctic diesel.
It is recommended for use at negative temperatures down to -45…-50 °C. Diesel density is about 830 kg/m3, and the flash point is approximately +35 degrees Celsius. Arctic diesel fuel is obtained by dewaxing summer diesel fuel or by adding additives that increase cetane number and components that improve lubricating properties to clean kerosene.
The weight of diesel fuel in 1 liter is approximately 850 g, or 0.85 kg.
| Diesel type | Temperature range (ºC) | Density (kg/m3) | Specific weight (g/cm3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | +0 … | 860 | 0.86 |
| Winter | -35 … -20 | 840 | 0.84 |
| Arctic | -50 … -45 | 830 | 0.83 |
Main Characteristics
- Cetane number.
Cetane is a hydrocarbon found in diesel fuel. It is characterized by rapid ignition under the action of hot compressed air formed in the combustion chamber of a diesel internal combustion engine. The cetane number determines the ignition quality of diesel fuel and should not be lower than 45-50. The higher the cetane number, the faster the fuel ignites. High-quality diesel fuel has a high paraffin content and a high cetane number.
- Sulfur content.
Crude oil contains sulfur. In diesel fuel, the content of sulfur compounds is strictly regulated. To improve fuel environmental performance and reduce wear on internal combustion engine components, sulfur content should be minimized.
However, as the percentage of sulfur decreases, diesel lubricating properties deteriorate, so special additives must be used. EURO-4 and EURO-5 diesel grades with sulfur content up to 0.05% are considered among the best by these indicators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the density of diesel fuel be used for precise calculations?
The density and weight values for diesel fuel in this article are reference values. They are suitable for preliminary estimates, but design, construction, production and other critical calculations should be checked against standards, material datasheets or measurement results.
Why can the actual weight of diesel fuel differ from the table?
The actual weight of diesel fuel depends on composition, moisture, temperature, porosity, fraction size, material grade and measurement conditions. Because of this, real values may differ from the average table data.
How do you calculate the mass of diesel fuel from density?
For an approximate calculation, use the formula: mass = density × volume. If the density of diesel fuel is given in kg/m³ and the volume is in m³, the result will be in kilograms.