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Fuel Regulations

Korea: Fuels: Diesel Fuel

Diesel fuel: KS M 2610:2023

Korean diesel specifications are found in KS M 2610. This industrial standard incorporates requirements legislated under the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act and the Clean Air Conservation Act. Table 1 summarizes the requirements of KS M 2610:2023 updated with later legislated requirements for FAME content from MOTIE [4800][6818][6817]. Special No. 3 grade is for the Ministry of National Defense.

Table 1
Diesel fuel specifications, KS M 2610:2023
PropertyAutomotive DieselMarine DieselSpecial No. 3
Pour point, °C, max0.0
Winter: -18a
0.0
Winter:-13a
-30
Flash point, °C, min404040
Kinematic viscosity @40°C, mm2/s1.9-5.51.5-6.0≥1.3f
Distillation 90%, °C, max360360330
Carbon residue on 10% residue, % m/m, max0.150.200.15
Water & sediment, % v/v, max0.020.02
Sulfur, max10 mg/kg0.05% m/m0.2% m/m
Ash, % m/m, max0.020.010.01
Cetane number, min52b4045
Copper Strip Corrosion (100°C, 3h), max111
CFPP, °C, max-18c--24
Lubricity @60°C, HFRR WSD, µm, max400d-
Density @15°C815-835-
Polycyclic aromatic content, % m/m, max5-
Aromatic content, % m/m30d-
FAME content, % v/v2 – 7
Winter: 2 – 5e
-
Color-Red
a Oct. 1 to Mar. 31 for production and import, Nov. 1 to Mar. 31 for distribution. For automotive use, -23°C Nov. 15 (Dec. 1 for distribution) to Feb. 28 and -13°C Mar. 16 to Mar. 31.
b 48 from Nov. 15 to Feb. 28
c applicable only for production and import Nov. 15 to Feb. 15
d applicable only for production and import
e applicable only for production and import from Nov. 1 to Mar. 31
f at 30°C. For products without flow improvers, ≥1.2

A 7% maximum FAME limit applies to state-owned emergency diesel reserves, refiner-owned emergency diesel reserves, commercial diesel fuel available at retail sites, initial fill for new vehicles, emergency diesel generators for nuclear power plants. Higher level blends such as B20 can be used in some closed-fleet operations.