RUSSIAN DIESEL EN590

EN 590 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization that describes the physical properties that all automotive diesel fuel must meet if it is to be sold in the European Union and several other European countries.  The EN 590 had been introduced along with the European emission standards . The overall goal has been to reduce the sulphur content of diesel fuel. Sulphur had been used as a lubricant in the fuel. Its role is taken by special additives in ULSD. With each of its revisions, the EN 590 had been adapted to lower the sulphur content of diesel fuel – Since 2007, diesel that conforms to EN590 has been referred to as Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) in the European Union. The phrase “Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel” is governed by different standards in other parts of the world.

In the European Union and the USA, the sulfur content has dramatically reduced during the last 20 years. Automotive diesel fuel is covered in the European Union by standard EN 590.

Some of the important revisions of the EN 590 standard were:

• EN 590:1993—The first EU diesel fuel specification. It established a sulfur limit of 0.2% and a cetane number of 49 in onroad and nonroad diesel fuels. Sometimes referred to as Euro 1 diesel fuel.
• EN 590:1996—This standard reflected a new sulfur limit of 500 ppm. Cetane number remained at 49. Sometimes referred to as Euro 2 diesel fuel.
• EN 590:1999—This standard reflected the sulfur (350 ppm) and cetane number (51) specifications by Directive 98/70/EC (so called Euro 3 diesel).
• EN 590:2004—Sulfur limits of 50 ppm (so called Euro 4) and 10 ppm (Euro 5) as regulated by Directive 2003/17/EC. FAME content of 5%.
• EN 590:2009—FAME content of 7% as regulated by Directive 2009/30/EC. This directive also adopts mandatory biofuel requirements for refiners and introduces a 10 ppm S limit in nonroad fuels effective 2011.

Based on 98/70/EG it allows the blending of up to 7% fatty acid methyl ester biodiesel with ‘conventional’ diesel – a 7:93 mix. The standard EN 590 puts diesel fuel into two groups destined for specific climatic environments. For the “temperate” climatic zones the standard defines six classes from A to F. For the “arctic” climatic zones the standard defines five classes from 0 to 4.

Many countries in Europe require diesel fuel to meet a specific class in winter times. In Central and Western Europe, the Winter Diesel (Winterdiesel, diesel d’hiver) must meet Class F conditions at least from the beginning of December to the end of February. During a transitional period (mostly October and April), a lower Class must be met. In the Scandinavian countries, the Winter Diesel (Vinterdiesel) must meet Class 2 conditions. Some mineral groups offer both types commonly known as Winter Diesel (Winterdiesel, diesel d’hiver) and Arctic Diesel (Polardiesel, diesel polaires).

Although EN590 covers numerous fuel characteristics, water content is the most relevant contaminant for fuel maintenance. To comply with EN590, fuel can contain no more than 200mg of water per kg of fuel. This is an extremely demanding standard. 200mg of water per kg of fuel represents just 0.02% water contamination. Because modern biodiesel blends absorb water naturally, (i.e. they are hygroscopic) it is practically impossible to adhere to the standard without regular testing and the use of a water extraction process such as a polishing system or regular tank cleaning.

Russia is one of the biggest suppliers of Diesel EN590 which is known in Europe as Euro 5 Automotive Diesel Fuel. Russian company, Gazprom which was one of the largest oil and gas companies worldwide in 2017, is among major suppliers of Russian Diesel En590. European countries are the biggest importer of Russian EN590.