Canada: Fuels: Diesel Fuel (archived)
This summary covers the historical Canadian diesel fuel standards that are no longer in effect. For current information see Canada: Fuels.
Diesel Fuel Types
Diesel fuel quality specifications in Canada are the responsibility of the Middle Distillates Committee of the Canadian General Standards Board. This Committee maintains a number of standards for diesel fuel used in different applications. These include:
- CAN/CGSB-3.517 Automotive Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel
- CAN/CGSB-3.520 Automotive Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel Containing Low Levels Of Biodiesel Esters (B1-B5)
- CAN/CGSB-3.16 Mining Diesel Fuel
- CAN/CGSB-3.6 Regular Sulfur Diesel Fuel
- CAN/CGSB-3.18 Diesel Fuel for Locomotive-Type Medium Speed Diesel Engines
- CGSB 3-GP-11d Naval Distillate Fuel
Most of these standards cover several types of diesel fuels. The standards, the types covered by that standard and the intended applications are outlined in the following table.
| Standard | Fuel Type | Intended Application |
|---|---|---|
| CAN/CGSB-3.517 Automotive Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel |
Type A-LS | High speed diesel engine applications involving frequent and relatively wide variations in loads and speeds and when ambient temperatures require better low temperature properties. Examples include urban transit buses and passenger vehicles. Maximum fuel sulfur of 500 mg/kg. |
| Type B-LS | High speed diesel engines in services involving relatively high loads and uniform speeds and when ambient temperatures and fuel storage conditions allow its use. Examples include intercity trucks and construction equipment. Maximum fuel sulfur of 500 mg/kg. | |
| Type A-ULS | Same as Type A-LS. Maximum fuel sulfur of 15 mg/kg. | |
| Type B-ULS | Same as Type B-LS. Maximum fuel sulfur of 15 mg/kg. | |
| CAN/CGSB-3.520 Automotive Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel Containing Low Levels Of Biodiesel Esters (B1-B5) |
Type A-LS, Bx | Same as Type A-LS. Maximum fuel sulfur of 500 mg/kg. Biodiesel content from 1.0 to 5% by volume. |
| Type B-LS, Bx | Same as Type B-LS. Maximum fuel sulfur of 500 mg/kg. Biodiesel content from 1.0 to 5% by volume. | |
| CAN/CGSB-3.6 Regular Sulfur Diesel Fuel |
Type A | Similar to Type A-LS, but fuel use is mainly limited to off-road applications. Maximum fuel sulfur of 3000 mg/kg. |
| Type B | Similar to Type B-LS, but fuel use is mainly limited to off-road applications. Maximum fuel sulfur of 5000 mg/kg. | |
| CAN/CGSB-3.16 Mining Diesel Fuel |
SPECIAL | High speed diesel engines used in underground mining equipment. Maximum fuel sulfur of 2500 mg/kg. |
| SPECIAL-LS | High speed diesel engines used in underground mining equipment. Maximum fuel sulfur of 500 mg/kg. | |
| CAN/CGSB-3.18 Diesel Fuel for Locomotive-Type Medium Speed Diesel Engines |
Medium speed diesel engines in locomotive service. Other medium speed diesel engines may also use this fuel. Maximum fuel sulfur of 5000 mg/kg. | |
| CGSB 3-GP-11D Naval Distillate Fuel |
Type 11 | High speed and medium speed diesel engines, gas turbines and boilers in marine service and when ambient temperatures are higher than –1°C. Maximum fuel sulfur of 5000 mg/kg. |
| Type 15 | High speed and medium speed diesel engines, gas turbines and boilers in marine service and when ambient temperatures are higher than –12°C. Maximum fuel sulfur of 5000 mg/kg. |
The existence of a fuel standard for a particular fuel does not always guarantee its availability. Fuel buyers sometimes purchase other fuel types from sellers in place of fuels that are difficult to procure. For example, depending on availability and/or geographic location, mining diesel fuel (CAN/CGSB-3.16) and naval distillate fuel (CGSB 3-GP-11d) may be difficult to procure. Automotive low-sulfur diesel fuel (CAN/CGSB-3.517) is sometimes supplied in place of these fuels.
Fuel Regulations
Canadian regulations affecting the environmental impact of diesel fuel are the Sulfur in Diesel Fuel Regulations and the Fuels Information Regulations, No. 1.
- The Sulfur in Diesel Fuel Regulations [CEPA page] specify sulfur limits for on-road and off-road diesel fuels sold in Canada that are either produced domestically or imported. The first rule, published in July 2002 [SOR/2002-254], focused on on-road diesel fuels. Amendments published in October 2005 [SOR/2005-305] added biodiesel, off-road and locomotive and marine diesel fuels to the regulations and made changes to the reporting requirements and the test methods.
- The Fuels Information Regulations, No. 1 [CEPA page] require that sulfur content and additive use be reported for all fuels.
Canada has legal requirements for the sulfur concentration in on-road, off-road, locomotive and marine diesel fuels that generally align with those of the US EPA. Sulfur in on-road diesel fuel will be less than 15 mg/kg starting in 2006. Off-road diesel fuel will transition to less than 500 mg/kg starting in 2007 and then to less than 15 mg/kg starting in 2010. Locomotive and marine diesel fuels will be required to have less than 500 mg/kg of sulfur starting in 2007 but will have until 2012 before dropping further to less than 15 mg/kg. There is a delay of a few months between the dates that producers and importers and fuel at the point of sale need to meet the legislated requirements. Fuel sold in the Northern Supply Area needs to meet the legal requirements a year or more later than that sold in the rest of the country. The following table provides further details.
| Fuel | Sulfur Limit, mg/kg | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Producer / Importer | Point of Sale | Northern Supply Area† Point of Sale | ||
| On-road diesel | 500 | 19971 | 1998.011 | |
| 15 | 2006.06 | 2006.09 | 2007.09 | |
| Off-road diesel | 500 | 2007.06 | 2007.10 | 2008.12 |
| 15 | 2010.06 | 2010.10 | 2011.12 | |
| Locomotive & marine diesel | 500 | 2007.06 | 2007.10 | 2008.12 |
| 15 | 2012.06 | - | ||
| † Area corresponding to the northern part of Yukon; the Northwest Territories outside of the area accessible by road from BC and Alberta; Nunavut; parts of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec within 50 km from the coast of Hudson Bay or James Bay; the north part of Quebec; and Labrador in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. 1 - Legislated by “Diesel Fuel Regulations” (SOR/97-110) adopted in 1997. Between 1994 and 1997 fuel suppliers agreed to provide 500 ppm sulfur fuels under a Memorandum of Understanding with Environment Canada. | ||||
Analysis. To determine compliance with the regulations, ASTM D 5453-03a, Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Light Hydrocarbons, Motor Fuels and Oils by Ultraviolet Fluorescence is to be used (see also Table 4B).
Reporting. There are two reporting requirements under the Sulfur in Diesel Fuel Regulations. These are additional to the reporting requirements of the Fuels Information Regulations, No.1. Until December 31, 2014, reporting on fuel sulfur concentration is required each quarter by producers and importers. After December 31, 2014, reporting on fuel sulfur can be done annually. Diesel fuel, biodiesel and blends of biodiesel and diesel fuel must each be reported separately. Information that is to be submitted includes:
- total volume, highest, lowest and volume weighted average sulfur concentration and method used to measure sulfur of fuel with sulfur that was less than or equal to 15 mg/kg
- total volume, highest, lowest and volume weighted average sulfur concentration and method used to measure sulfur of fuel with sulfur that was greater than 15 mg/kg but less than or equal to 500 mg/kg.
- total volume, highest, lowest and volume weighted average sulfur concentration and method used to measure sulfur of fuel with sulfur that was greater than 500 mg/kg.
For the purposes reporting, the sulfur concentration can be determined with any of the following test methods:
- ASTM D 5453-03a
- an equivalent method to ASTM D 5453-03a on the condition that the equivalency of the method be validated in accordance with ASTM D 4855-97, Standard Practice for Comparing Test Methods, and the producer or importer proposing to use the method provides a description of the method and evidence that demonstrates that it provides equivalent results.
Annual reports by producers and importers must also be done to provide further details on fuels produced or imported.
Specifications
Specifications for the various types of diesel fuel are summarized in Table 3A & Table 3B. Test methods are given in Table 4A & Table 4B.
| Property | Unit | 3.517 | 3.517 | 3.6 | 3.520 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type A-LS | Type B-LS | Type A-ULS | Type B-ULS | Type A | Type B | Type A-LS, Bx | Type B-LS, Bx | ||
| Flash point1, min | °C | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 |
| Water and sediment, max | % vol. | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Distillation T90, max | °C | 290.0 | 360.0 | 290.0 | 360.0 | 290.0 | 360.0 | 290.0 | 360.0 |
| Kinematic viscosity @ 40°C | mm2/s | 1.3 - 3.6 | 1.72 - 4.1 | 1.3 - 3.6 | 1.72 - 4.1 | 1.3 - 3.6 | 1.72 - 4.1 | 1.3 - 3.6 | 1.72 - 4.1 |
| Ash, max | % wt. | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.010 |
| Sulfur, max | mg/kg | 500 | 500 | 15 | 15 | 3000 | 5000 | 500 | 500 |
| Copper strip corrosion, 3h at 50°C, max | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 | |
| Cetane number, min | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | |
| Electrical conductivity, min | pS/m | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Low-temperature flow properties | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Carbon residue on 10% distillation residue4, max | % wt. | 0.10 | 0.16 | 0.10 | 0.16 | 0.10 | 0.16 | 0.10 | 0.16 |
| Acid number, max | mg KOH/g | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 |
| Lubricity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| Biodiesel | % vol. | 1.0-56 | 1.0-56 | ||||||
| Property | Unit | 3.16 | 3-GP-11d | 3.18 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPECIAL | SPECIAL - LS | Type 11 | Type 15 | |||
| Flash point1, min | °C | 52.0 | 52.0 | 60.0 | 60.0 | 40.0 |
| Water and sediment, max | % vol. | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Distillation T90, max | °C | 315.0 | 315.0 | 360.0 | 360.0 | 360.0 |
| Final boiling point, max | °C | 355.0 | 355.0 | |||
| Kinematic viscosity @ 40°C | mm2/s | 1.3 - 4.1 | 1.3 - 4.1 | 1.7 - 4.4 | 1.7 - 4.4 | 1.72 - 5.0 |
| Density @ 15°C, max | kg/m3 | 850 | 850 | report | report | |
| Ash, max | % wt. | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.005 | 0.005 | 0.010 |
| Sulfur, max | mg/kg | 2500 | 500 | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 |
| Copper strip corrosion, 3h at 50°C, max | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 | No. 1 | |
| Cetane number, min | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40 or 43 CI | 40 or 43 CI | 37.0 | |
| Electrical conductivity, min | pS/m | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Low-temperature flow properties | 5 | |||||
| Cloud point, max | °C | -17 | -12 | |||
| Pour point, max | °C | -68 | -18 | |||
| Carbon residue on 10% distillation residue4, max | % wt. | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.35 |
| Strong acid number, max | mg KOH/g | Nil | Nil | |||
| Acid number, max | mg KOH/g | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.10 |
| Lubricity | 5 | 5 | ||||
| Storage stability, total insolubles, max | mg/100 ml | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||
| Water separability, separation time, max | minutes | 10 | 10 | |||
| Color, max | 3.0 | 3.0 | ||||
Notes to Table 3A & Table 3B:
- A higher flash point may be specified in special applications.
- If the fuel is designed for an operability temperature below -20°C, then the minimum viscosity shall be 1.30 mm2/s.
- Low temperature flow properties shall be designed to give satisfactory performance at the 2.5% low-end design temperature for the month or half month and location of intended use. When the 2.5% low-end temperature is lower than -48°C, a fuel meeting a -48°C operability limit may be used. Cloud point, wax appearance point, or low temperature flow test are to be used. Cloud point is the referee method.
- Micro Method (ASTM D 4530). The Ramsbottom carbon residue test (ASTM D 524) may be used as an alternative. A maximum of 0.10, 0.16 and 0.35% (wt) by the Micro Method are equivalent to 0.15, 0.20 and 0.35% (wt) respectively by the Ramsbottom method.
- When operability temperature is -20°C or lower, a lubricity additive shall be incorporated into the base fuel. When lubricity test results on a representative base fuel are available, they shall take precedence. Lubricity can be tested with several pump rig tests, HFRR (460 µm or less @ 60°C) or scuffing load BOCLE.
- A minimum level of 1.0% biodiesel is specified to differentiate CAN/CGSB-3.520 from similar standards such as CAN/CGSB-3.517 and CAN/CGSB-3.6. The concentration of 1.0 is intentionally stated to one decimal place to ensure that the minimum concentration of biodiesel shall be at least 0.95%. If a diesel fuel contains less than 1.0% biodiesel, the biodiesel component would be considered to be an additive and CAN/CGSB-3.520 would not apply.
- On the Atlantic coast, the cloud point of Type 11 fuel shall be -4°C (max) from October 1 to April 1.
- On the Atlantic coast, the pour point of Type 11 fuel shall be -9°C (max) from October 1 to April 1.
| Property | Unit | Test Method | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | °C | ASTM D 93 or ASTM D 3828 |
ASTM D 93 is the referee method. |
| Water and sediment | % vol. | ASTM D 1796 (modified) or ASTM D 2709 |
ASTM D 1796 is modified by substituting the centrifuge tube specified in ASTM D 2273 for that in ASTMD 1796. ASTM D 1796 (modified) is the referee method for all fuels except naval distillate fuels covered by CGSB-3-GP-11d. CGSB-3-GP-11d only allows ASTM D 2709 to be used for naval distillate fuels. Mining diesel (CAN/CGSB-3.16) only allows ASTM D 1796 (modified) to be used. |
| Distillation T90 | °C | ASTM D 86 | |
| Final boiling point | °C | ASTM D 86 | Final boiling point is only specified for mining diesel (CAN/CGSB-3.16). |
| Kinematic viscosity @ 40°C | mm2/s | ASTM D 445 | |
| Density @ 15°C | kg/m3 | ASTM D 1298 or ASTM D 4052 |
Density is only specified in mining diesel (CAN/CGSB-3.16). Naval distillate (CGSB-3-GP-11d) has a density reporting requirement. |
| Ash | % wt. | ASTM D 482 | |
| Copper strip corrosion, 3h at 50°C | ASTM D 130 | ||
| Cetane number | ASTM D 613 | The ignition quality of naval distillate fuel (CGSB-3-GP-11d) may also be estimated with the calculation technique for cetane index, ASTM D 976. The calculation technique is not applicable to fuels with ignition improver additives. | |
| Electrical conductivity | pS/m | ASTM D 2624 | |
| Low-temperature flow properties | ASTM D 2500 or ASTM D 5773 or ASTM D 3117 or CAN/CGSB-3.0 No. 140.1 |
These options are available for the following fuels: CAN/CGSB-3.517 CAN/CGSB-3.520 CAN/CGSB-3.16 CAN/CGSB-3.6 CAN/CGSB-3.18 |
|
| Cloud point | °C | ASTM D 2500 or ASTM D 5773 |
Cloud point is only specified for naval distillate fuels (CGSB-3-GP-11d). ASTM D 5773 is the referee test method. |
| Pour point | °C | ASTM D 97 or ASTM D 5949 |
Pour point is only specified for naval distillate fuels (CGSB-3-GP-11d). ASTM D 97 is the referee test method. |
| Carbon residue on 10% distillation residue | % wt. | ASTM D 4530 or ASTM D 524 |
Testing is to be done before the addition of additives. ASTM D 4530 is the referee test method. ASTM D 524 is an alternative method and may give higher test results than ASTM D 4530. Refer to the footnote 4 for Tables 3A and 3B for equivalency values for these test methods. |
| Strong acid number | mg KOH/g | ASTM D 974 | Strong acid number is only specified for naval distillate fuels (CGSB-3-GP-11d). |
| Acid number | mg KOH/g | ASTM D 974 | |
| Lubricity | Distributor type pump wear vehicle field test or | See SAE paper 982370 for methodology and SAE paper 961180 for rating method. Overall pump rating of 4.0 or less is acceptable. |
|
| Distributor type pump wear pump rig test or | See SAE paper 981363 for methodology. SAE Papers 961180 and 952370 provide additional background information. Rating method is described in SAE papers 961180 and 981363. Overall pump rating of 4.0 or less is acceptable. |
||
| Rotary type pump wear pump rig test (SAE paper 961944) or | See SAE paper 961944 for methodology and SAE paper 961944 for rating method. Overall pump rating of 5.3 or less is acceptable. |
||
| ASTM D 6079 or | A wear scare of 460 µm or less at 60°C is acceptable. | ||
| ASTM D 6078 | A scuffing load of greater that 3100 g is acceptable. | ||
| Storage stability, total insolubles | mg/100 ml | ASTM D 2274 | Storage stability is only specified for naval distillate fuels (CGSB-3-GP-11d). |
| Water separability, separation time | minutes | ASTM D 1401 | Water separability is only specified for naval distillate fuels (CGSB-3-GP-11d). |
| Color | ASTM D 1500 | Color is only specified for naval distillate fuels (CGSB-3-GP-11d). Determined before the addition of dye. |
| Fuel | Test Method | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| CAN/CGSB-3.517 Automotive Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel CAN/CGSB-3.520 Automotive Low-Sulfur Diesel Fuel Containing Low Levels Of Biodiesel Esters (B1-B5) |
ASTM D 2622 or ASTM D 5453 or CAN/CGSB-3.0 No. 16.0 |
ASTM D 5453 is the referee test method. |
| CAN/CGSB-3.16 Mining Diesel Fuel CAN/CGSB-3.6 Regular Sulfur Diesel Fuel CAN/CGSB-3.18 Diesel Fuel for Locomotive-Type Medium Speed Diesel Engines CGSB 3-GP-11d Naval Distillate Fuel |
ASTM D 1266 or ASTM D 1552 or ASTM D 2622 or ASTM D 4294 or ASTM D 5453 or CAN/CGSB-3.0 No. 16.0 |
CAN/CGSB-3.0 No. 16.0 is the referee test method. |