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Fuel Regulations

Canada: Fuels: Diesel Fuel

Diesel Fuel Specifications

CGSB requirements for diesel fuel are found in CAN/CGSB-3.517 and summarized in Table 1 [6378]. Two types of diesel fuel are specified, Type A and Type B. Both are suitable for use in high-speed diesel engines for on-road and off-road applications and in some medium speed diesel engines. Type A is intended for use in selected applications or when ambient temperatures require better low-temperature properties than Type B.

Biodiesel Fuel

Up to 5% biodiesel is allowed in CAN/CGSB-3.517. Biodiesel requirements are covered by CAN/CGSB-3.524 [6267]. Blends from B6 to B20 are covered by CAN/CGSB-3.522 [6266].

Table 1
CGSB requirements for diesel fuel
PropertyUnitPropertiesReferee Test Method, ASTM
Flash point, min°C40.01D93
Water and sediment, max% vol.0.02D2709
Distillation T90, max°CType A: 290
Type B: 360
D86
Kinematic viscosity @ 40°Cmm2/sType A: 1.30 - 3.60
Type B: 1.702 - 4.10
D445
Ash, max% wt.0.010D482
Sulfur, maxmg/kg15D5453
Copper strip corrosion, 3h at 50°C, maxNo. 1D130
Cetane number, min40.0D613
Electrical conductivity, minpS/m25D2624
Low-temperature flow properties°CLocation & season dependent3D5773 or
CAN/CGSB-3.0 No. 140.1
Carbon residue on 10% distillation residue, max% wt.Type A: 0.1
Type B: 0.2
D5430
Acid number, maxmg KOH/g0.10D974
Lubricity, maxµm4604D6079
Biodiesel, max% vol.5
1. A higher flash point may be specified for some applications.
2. If the fuel is intended for use at low temperatures, the minimum viscosity limit is lower. For -10°C or colder, the limit is 1.50 mm2/s and for -20°C or colder, 1.30 mm2/s.
3. The operability limit is the 2.5% low-end design temperature for the period and location of intended use and is determined using the most recent set of weather data. When the 2.5% low-end design temperature is colder than -48°C, a fuel meeting a -48°C operability limit may be supplied. Operability temperature is determined by cloud point (referee method ASTM D5773) or the low-temperature flow test (LTFT) (referee method CAN/CGSB-3.0 No. 140.1).
4. A maximum wear scar diameter of 460 µm @ 60°C with ASTM D6079 or D7688 with D6079 being the referee method between these two test methods. Satisfactory performance with several pump rig tests is also an option.

Low temperature properties are based on the 2.5% low-end design temperature. This is the temperature at or below which 2.5% of the hourly outside air temperatures are observed to occur for an indicated half month. The 2.5% low-end design temperature for most weather stations in Canada is based upon a statistical analysis of hourly weather readings over a thirty-year period [6272].