Emissions And Pollution – What’s The Difference?
When considering alternative diesel fuels, it is good to grasp in a simple way the difference between air pollution and carbon emissions from diesel fuel.
In most cases, the words are almost interchangeable but here we set this out in a simple way so that it can be understood better as it can be confusing.
Emissions generally refers to the carbon used in the journey of the diesel fuel before it goes into your fuel tank to be used – is it a fossil or non-fossil fuel?
It can also mean emitted gases like nitrous oxides and PM.
With a GTL (gas-to-liquid) synthetic diesel fuel, the alternative diesel fuel has all the clean burn and high purity consistency that marks synthetic diesel like HVO but, as GTL is made from fossil gas, it is a fossil fuel.
GTL is gaining popularity because it has all the clean engine burn and low air pollution characteristics of HVO but can come in at a cheaper price.
HVO renewable diesel is made entirely from ISCC wastes and residues meaning that it is a fossil-free diesel fuel that cuts net carbon emissions by as much as 90% on the whole journey of the fuel (circular economy).
Pollution refers more to the consequences of combustion in the engine and what comes out of the tailpipe into the atmosphere. The 2 main areas of concern here are:
Particulate Matter
As the term sounds this is particles in smoke and soot, with GTL or HVO fuel this pollution is reduced by 80% making both fantastic for use in city and built-up areas.
Nitrous Oxides
Because there is nitrogen in the atmosphere there will always be these to some extent (even with hydrogen fuelled engines). Using HVO has been proved to reduce NOx by around 25% or more.
Additionally in recent years EN590 mineral diesel must contain 7.25% FAME Biodiesel (hence B7) and this causes a lot of trouble with blocked diesel particulate filters. These very costly problems are avoided by using synthetic diesel due to its consistency and lack of oxygen that can attract water; you can store synthetic diesel for as long as 10 years.
Do synthetic diesels offer better fuel economy?
In our research they do for stop-start delivery around towns but not for long motorway journeys where fossil diesel seems to have the edge. This may be because it is denser; it is one of the odd things about HVO – that it is lighter than water.
If you would like to know more about how to reduce both carbon emissions and air pollution by simply changing your fuel why not get in touch? Send an email to: oil@lubiq.uk
