New Diesel Fuel Begins Flowing June 1

May 31, 2007
Refinery production begins on clean diesel; rollout to include two phases

On June 1, the nation's refineries will begin producing low sulfur diesel fuel for use in off-road equipment. By December 1, locomotives and marine vessels, as well as farming, construction and mining equipment, are slated to switch to diesel containing nearly 85 percent less sulfur. This new off-road fuel has a sulfur content of 500 parts per million, reduced from approximately 3,000 parts per million in the previous blend.

By 2010, sulfur levels in most non-road diesel fuel will be reduced to 15 parts per million, making it possible for engine manufacturers to use advanced exhaust control systems that significantly reduce emissions. For locomotive and marine fuel, this step will occur in 2012.

Diesel is the predominant, and in some cases, exclusive source of power for many important sectors of the economy, including:

  • Agriculture: Farms and ranches use diesel to power two-thirds of all agricultural equipment -- almost $19 billion worth of tractors, combines, irrigation pumps and other farm equipment.
  • Construction: Nearly 100 percent of off-road construction equipment -- approximately $17 billion worth -- is diesel-powered.
  • Mining: Diesel power accounts for 72 percent of the power used in mining.
  • Freight Transport: Ninety percent of the nation's freight tonnage and 94 percent of its total freight ton-miles are moved by diesel power, and while trucks move much of this cargo, diesel-powered non-road modes such as rail, shipping and intermodal transport chains also play a key role.

For more information on off-road diesel equipment, download a Diesel Technology Forum report -- titled Diesel-Powered Machines and Equipment: Essential Uses, Economic Importance and Environmental Performance -- at http://www.dieselforum.org/.

More information is also available from the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance at http://www.clean-diesel.org

Interested in information related to sustainable manufacturing best practices? Bookmark our Making Green page, and check back daily for updated content.

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

3 Best Practices to Create a Product-Centric Competitive Advantage with PRO.FILE PLM

Jan. 25, 2024
Gain insight on best practices and strategies you need to accelerate engineering change management and reduce time to market. Register now for your opportunity to accelerate your...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!