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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

EPA to require addition of dye to higher-sulfur diesel fuel

Journal Article · · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)
OSTI ID:5324050

Section 211(i) of the US 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments requires the petroleum industry, beginning Oct. 1, 1993, to differentiate off-highway diesel clearly from highway diesel using a dye marker'' system. Starting Oct. 1, all highway diesel must comply with a maximum sulfur specification of 0.05 wt % and a minimum cetane index of 40 (or a maximum aromatics content of 35%). The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been authorized to use 1,4-dialkylaminoanthroquinone, a blue dye, to mark higher sulfur off-highway diesel. When added to diesel fuel, which is characteristically yellow, the fuel turns blue-green. If EPA officials find the colored fuel in highway use, the responsible parties will be fined. The EPA will use random testing and sampling to catch offenders. The paper discusses compliance, and materials.

OSTI ID:
5324050
Journal Information:
Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 91:31; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English