The pump at like every station that has diesel says “diesel no. 2.” What is Diesel #2, and is there a Diesel #1 (or #3)?

Question

The pump at like every station that has diesel says “diesel no. 2.” What is Diesel #2, and is there a Diesel #1 (or #3)?

In: 646

Answer 1

Diesel #1 and #2 are just different fuel cuts from the processing of vacuum gas oil (VGO). #1 diesel is a lower boiling fraction with smaller average molecules and lower gelling points and lower content of large, waxy molecules than #2 diesel. So #1 is typically used as a winter fuel, or is mixed with #2 and additions to blend a winter fuel with good operability