How to distinguish between good and bad diesel
As an important fuel, diesel is widely used in vehicles, machinery, power generation and other fields. How to distinguish the quality of diesel is directly related to the service life and operating efficiency of the equipment. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to introduce you in detail to the identification method of diesel and provide structured data for reference.
1. Basic indicators of diesel fuel

The quality of diesel is mainly measured by the following key indicators:
| indicator | Standard value | Poor quality diesel performance |
|---|---|---|
| cetane number | ≥45 | Insufficient combustion and reduced power |
| Sulfur content | ≤10mg/kg | Emission pollution is large and corrodes equipment |
| flash point | ≥55℃ | Inflammable and explosive, poor safety |
| freezing point | Adjust according to season | It is easy to solidify at low temperature and block the oil circuit. |
2. How to judge diesel quality through senses
1.color observation: High-quality diesel usually appears light yellow or light green, clear and transparent; inferior diesel is darker in color, may appear brown or black, and is turbid.
2.Odor discrimination: High-quality diesel has a slight oily aroma; inferior diesel may have a pungent chemical smell or odor.
3.Feel test: Dip a small amount of diesel with your fingers. High-quality diesel will feel smooth but will not leave residue; inferior diesel may feel sticky or contain impurities.
3. Laboratory testing methods
For situations that require precise judgment, it is recommended to send it to a professional laboratory for testing. The main testing items are as follows:
| Test items | Detection method | Qualification standards |
|---|---|---|
| Density | GB/T 1884 | 0.82-0.86g/cm³ |
| Distillation range | GB/T 6536 | 90% distillation temperature ≤355℃ |
| mechanical impurities | GB/T 511 | None |
| Moisture | GB/T 260 | ≤0.05% |
4. Things to note when buying diesel
1.Choose formal channels: Give priority to gas stations or authorized dealers of large enterprises such as Sinopec and PetroChina.
2.View relevant documents: Require suppliers to provide product quality inspection reports, business licenses and other documents.
3.Pay attention to price anomalies: Diesel that is significantly lower than the market price is likely to have quality problems.
4.Save proof of purchase: Keep invoices, receipts, etc. to protect your rights when problems arise.
5. Dangers of using inferior diesel
| Hazard type | Specific performance | possible consequences |
|---|---|---|
| engine damage | Increased carbon deposits and clogged fuel injection nozzles | Decreased power and high maintenance costs |
| Emission pollution | Increased black smoke and harmful gas emissions | Failure to meet environmental protection standards and risk of fines |
| Fuel system corrosion | Damage to oil pump and oil circuit | Shortened equipment life |
| safety hazard | Low flash point, easy to evaporate | Fire and explosion risk |
6. Diesel storage suggestions
1. Storage containers should be clean and sealed to prevent moisture and impurities from mixing in.
2. The storage environment should be cool and dry, away from fire and heat sources.
3. It is recommended that different batches of diesel fuel be stored separately and marked with the purchase date.
4. Diesel stored for a long time should be regularly checked for quality changes.
Through the above methods, you can effectively distinguish the quality of diesel fuel, ensure the use of high-quality diesel fuel, protect your equipment and improve operating efficiency. Remember, buying low-quality diesel for cheap may bring greater economic losses and safety risks.
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