Diesel fuel specific weight: weight of 1 liter
Diesel fuel, often called diesel or gas oil in everyday speech, is fuel used in diesel internal combustion engines. This petroleum refining product has been used for decades, mainly as fuel for agricultural and military machinery, railway transport, diesel generators and boiler plants, and also in metal and leather processing.
Diesel fuel characteristics, operating temperature parameters, and chemical and physical properties are described in relevant standards. Older norms for gas oil are not suitable for evaluating modern diesel fuel used in high-speed engines.
Diesel Fuel Classification
Today each country has its own diesel fuel quality standards, but there are basic classification categories common to any type of diesel fuel and described in interstate standards GOST 32511-2013 (EN 590:2009), 305-2013 and 2517-2012.
Distillate diesel fuel is used for high-speed engines, while residual fuel is used for less demanding operating conditions. Unlike hydrotreated kerosene-gas oil fractions of distillate fuel, residual fuel consists of a mixture of fuel oils and kerosene-gas oil fractions.
The main classification principle is seasonality.
- Summer diesel.
It can be used only at above-zero temperatures. The specific weight of summer diesel is 860 kg/m³. The theoretical density of any diesel fuel type is determined at +20 °C. As temperature rises, specific weight decreases by about 0.0007 g/cm³ per 1 °C, and as temperature falls it increases accordingly.
At -5 °C, paraffins in summer diesel thicken and clog the system. Additives help delay thickening, but they do not change the increased density of summer fuel at subzero temperatures. The flash point is 62 °C.
- Winter diesel.
The recommended operating temperature is from -20 °C to -35 °C. The specific weight of winter diesel is 840 kg/m³. At -35 °C it solidifies. Flash occurs at +40 °C.
- Arctic diesel.
It is recommended for use at negative temperatures down to -45…-50 °C. Diesel density is about 830 kg/m³, and the flash point is approximately +35 °C. Arctic diesel fuel is obtained by dewaxing summer diesel fuel or by adding additives that increase cetane number and components that improve lubricating properties to clean kerosene.
The weight of diesel fuel in 1 liter is approximately 850 g, or 0.85 kg.
| Diesel type | Temperature range (°C) | Density (kg/m³) | Specific weight (g/cm³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | +0 … | 860 | 0.86 |
| Winter | -35 … -20 | 840 | 0.84 |
| Arctic | -50 … -45 | 830 | 0.83 |
Note: the table values are approximate for seasonal fuel types. For modern road diesel under EN 590, density is usually specified at 15 °C and often falls within 820-845 kg/m³, so exact calculations should use the batch certificate.
Main Characteristics
- Cetane number.
Cetane is a hydrocarbon found in diesel fuel. It is characterized by rapid ignition under the action of hot compressed air formed in the combustion chamber of a diesel internal combustion engine. The cetane number determines the ignition quality of diesel fuel and should not be lower than 45-50. The higher the cetane number, the faster the fuel ignites. High-quality diesel fuel has a high paraffin content and a high cetane number.
- Sulfur content.
Crude oil contains sulfur. In diesel fuel, the content of sulfur compounds is strictly regulated. To improve fuel environmental performance and reduce wear on internal combustion engine components, sulfur content should be minimized.
Modern road diesel has much stricter sulfur limits. For example, EN 590 after 2009 limits sulfur to 10 mg/kg, or about 0.001% by mass. Lower sulfur reduces the fuel’s natural lubricity, so lubricity is restored with additives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 1 liter of diesel fuel weigh?
One liter of diesel fuel usually weighs about 0.83-0.86 kg. The exact value depends on the density of the specific batch, temperature and seasonal fuel class.
Why do summer and winter diesel have different densities?
Seasonal grades differ in fractional composition and low-temperature properties. Winter and arctic diesel are usually lighter because they must remain fluid in cold weather.
Can 0.85 kg/L be used for calculations?
For preliminary everyday calculations, 0.85 kg/L is acceptable. For fuel accounting, transport and technical calculations, use the passport density at the stated temperature.