Argentina: Fuels: Diesel Fuel

Diesel Fuel Standards

Detailed diesel fuel quality requirements according to Resolution 1283/2006 and the initial sulfur reduction schedule set in 2006 are listed in Table 1 [3404]. The fuel quality requirements defined by Resolution 5/2016 that updated Resolution 1283/2006 and the 2016 sulfur reduction schedule are found in Table 2 [3405]. Table 3 summarizes the fuel quality requirements according to Resolution 79/2026 that updated Resolution 1283/2006 [6841]. The sulfur reduction schedule shown in Table 1 and Table 2 is that in the 2006 and 2016 regulations respectively. These schedules were delayed several times as discussed elsewhere.

Table 1
2006 Specifications for commercial diesel fuels

Property	Units	Test Method	Grade 1	Grade 2	Grade 3
Density @15°C	g/ml	ASTM D1298	0.80-0.87
Water, max	g/100 g	IRAM 21320	0.03
Flash point, min	°C	IRAM-IAP 6539 or ASTM D93	45
Kinematic viscosity @40°C	cSt	IRAM-IAP 6597 or ASTM D445	2-4.5
Cetane index, min		ASTM D976	44¹	45¹	47¹
			Starting June 1, 2009
			44¹	46¹	48¹
T10, max	°C	ASTM D86	-	235
T50, max			-	300
T90, max			370	360
Sulfur, max	mg/kg	ASTM D4294 or ASTM D5453	3000	1500² 2500³	500
			Starting June 1, 2008
			2500	1500² 2000^3,4	500
			Starting June 1, 2009
			2000	500² 2000³	50⁶
			Starting June 1, 2011
			1600	500	10^5,6
			Starting June 1, 2016
			1000	30^5,6	10^5,6
1 - If cetane number is used, a value of cetane number that is 3 numbers higher than the index value specified is considered equivalent. 2 - Areas of high population density (city of Buenos Aires, a number of municipalities in the province of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza and Rosario); after June 1, 2008 all locations with ≥ 50,000 inhabitants. 3 - Rest of the country and suburban areas of cities considered high population density areas; after June 1, 2008 all locations with < 50,000 inhabitants. 4 - Grade 1 fuel may be substituted for Grade 2 fuel in regions of low population density until May 31, 2009. 5 - Limits to be reviewed in the event that the EEC modifies EURO norms for fuels. 6 - Only ASTM D4294 is applicable for the sulfur measurement.

Table 2
2016 specifications for Grade 2 and Grade 3 diesel

Property	Units	Test Method	Grade 2	Grade 3
Density @15°C	g/ml	ASTM D1298 or D4052	0.800-0.870
Water, max	g/100 g	IRAM 21320	0.03
Flash point, min	°C	IRAM 6539	45
Kinematic viscosity @40°C	cSt	ASTM D445	2-4.5
Cetane index, min¹		ASTM D976	46	48
Cetane number, min¹		ASTM D613	48	51
Oxidation stability, max	mg/100 ml	ASTM D7462	2.5	-
Acid number, max	mg KOH/g	ASTM D664 or D974	0.5
Biodiesel content	ml/100 ml	EN 14078 or ASTM D7371	10
T10, max	°C	ASTM D86	245
T50, max			310
T90, max			360
Sulfur, max	mg/kg	ASTM D4294 or ASTM D5453	500² 1500	10³
			Starting June 1, 2019
			500² 1000	-
			Starting June 1, 2022
			350	-
1 - Either Cetane Index or Cetane Number may be used. 2 - Areas of high population density; after Jan. 1, 2019 all locations with ≥ 90,000 inhabitants. 3 - Only ASTM D4294 is applicable for the sulfur measurement.

**Table 3**
2026 Specifications for Grade 2 and Grade 3 diesel
Property	Units	Test Method	Grade 2	Grade 3
Density @15°C	kg/m³	ASTM D1298 or D4052	800-870
Water, max	g/100 g	IRAM 21320	0.03
Flash point, min	°C	IRAM 6539	45
Kinematic viscosity @40°C	cSt	ASTM D445	2-4.5
Cetane index, min¹		ASTM D976	46	48
Cetane number, min¹		ASTM D613 or D7170	48	51
Oxidation stability, max	mg/100 ml	EN 15751 or ASTM D7462	2.5
Acid number, max	mg KOH/g	ASTM D664 or D974	0.5
Biodiesel content	ml/100 ml	EN 14078 or ASTM D7371	20
T10, max	°C	ASTM D86	245
T50, max			310
T90, max			360
Sulfur, max	mg/kg	ASTM D4294 or ASTM D5453	350	10²
1 – Either Cetane Index or Cetane Number may be used. 2 – Only ASTM D4294 is applicable for the sulfur measurement.