Diesel fuel is a popular and demanded product that is used in many areas. But, despite the optimal combination of cost, technical qualities and environmental friendliness, its application can be economically impractical for a number of industries. Therefore, to reduce costs in those systems where possible, analogues of diesel fuel are used.
Analogs are oil refining products, close to diesel fuel on the properties, but cheaper. Such products include:
1. Solar oil. Strictly speaking, this is not an analogue, but an integral part of diesel fuel. It is obtained by direct distillation of individual fractions of oil and treatment with alkali. Solar oil, as fuel, is suitable for slow-moving tractors, stationary and marine diesel engines. The cost of solar fuel is lower compared to diesel fuel for cars.
2. Diesel fuel produced under special technical conditions. These conditions are not regulated by any GOST, so they can be different: from the addition of cheap distillation products of diesel fractions (kerosene, etc.) to the use of special additives.
3. Low-viscosity marine fuel (SMT). It is obtained from oil distillation products, as well as by recycling of fuel oil. Despite the simplified production conditions, marine fuel must meet the prescribed lubricating characteristics and corrosion aggressiveness indicators. Marine diesel fuel is used for diesel engines with high and medium speed (marine power plants).
4. Dark furnace oil. It is made from diesel fractions, often with the use of used oils and the addition of organic compounds. Due to the low cost of this method, furnace oil can be purchased at an affordable price. Due to the high heat capacity, household furnace fuel is used for heating private houses, agricultural and industrial premises.
5. Distillates (gasoline fractions). These are the remainders of oil refining, light fractions, which are separated during distillation – evaporation of oil. Distillates are used to ensure the operation of diesel engines in cold conditions. They are environmentally safe due to the low sulphur content.
6. Biodiesel. This analogue of diesel fuel consists of fatty acids and methyl esters. Its advantages include the ability to use it without additives, no carbon deposits and waste odor, high lubricity and environmental friendliness. But only a 3-month shelf life makes its use unsuitable in a number of industries.
