Article created for the digital issue of the 黑料社区Foundation鈥檚 magazine.
Understanding the various types of fuels available is crucial for providing customers with the right choices and maintaining compliance with environmental regulations. The most common types of fuel include regular octane gasoline, premium gasoline, reformulated gasoline, Low Reid Vapor Pressure gasoline, E85, diesel, premium diesel, winter diesel, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Regular Octane Gasoline
Regular gasoline is the most commonly used fuel for conventional gasoline- powered vehicles. It most often has
an octane rating of 87 although lower octane ratings are used at higher elevations. This fuel is suitable for most standard vehicles and offers a balance between performance and cost. Some applications, such as lawn equipment and boats, work best with conventional gasoline.
Premium Gasoline
Premium gasoline has a higher- octane rating, typically ranging from 91 to 94. It is designed for high-performance or high- compression engines, reducing the risk of engine knock and providing improved performance. Some vehicles equipped with turbochargers or superchargers may also require premium gasoline to operate optimally.
Reformulated Gasoline (RFG)
Reformulated gasoline (RFG) is a cleaner-burning gasoline that contains additives and oxygenates
to reduce emissions of harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. RFG is mandated in certain regions with strict air quality regulations to improve air quality and reduce smog formation.
Low RVP Gasoline
Low Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) gasoline is specially formulated to have a lower volatility, meaning it evaporates less at higher temperatures. It is typically used during the summer months to minimize the release of volatile organic compounds, which contribute to smog formation.
Ethanol
Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel typically derived from crops such as corn or sugarcane. It is commonly blended with gasoline to produce ethanol blends, including E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline) or E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline).
Flex-Fuel (E85)
Flex-Fuel, also known as E85, is fuel composed of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can run on E85, gasoline or any blend of both.
Diesel
Diesel fuel is essential for heavy-duty trucks and buses and is used in some passenger vehicles. It has a higher energy density than gasoline, resulting in better fuel efficiency for diesel engines. Diesel engines operate on a compression-ignition principle, where the air-fuel mixture ignites due to the heat generated by compressing the air in the engine鈥檚 cylinders.
Premium Diesel
Premium diesel is a diesel where additives are applied. These additives help improve engine performance
and fuel efficiency by enhancing combustion and reducing engine deposits. They offer improved lubrication, minimizing wear and tear on critical engine components, leading to prolonged engine life. Premium diesel also aids in preventing fuel system corrosion, maintaining clean injectors and reducing harmful emissions. Additionally, some additives can stabilize fuel, making it less susceptible to degradation during storage or in adverse weather conditions.
Winter Diesel
Winter diesel is specially formulated for cold weather conditions. It contains additives that prevent the fuel from gelling or forming waxes at low temperatures. In colder climates, regular diesel may solidify, clogging fuel filters and causing engine problems. Winter diesel ensures that vehicles can operate smoothly in freezing temperatures.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel made from renewable sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste cooking oils. It is produced through a chemical process called transesterification, which converts these feedstocks into biodiesel. Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum diesel at various ratios (e.g., B5, B20) and can be used in standard diesel engines with little to no modifications. (.)
Renewable Diesel
Renewable diesel, previously known as green diesel, is a next- generation alternative fuel made
from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils and animal fats. It is a hydrocarbon produced most often by hydrotreating, which is similar to how petroleum refineries create traditional diesel fuel, resulting in a fuel that is chemically identical to petroleum- based diesel. It meets the ASTM D975 specification for petroleum diesel and can be handled in traditional pipelines.
Are you embarking on a new to fuel buying?
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