Specification and Evaluation of Diesel Fuel used in Electricity Generation in Erbil

Abstract

Two sets of diesel samples, which include fifty samples in both winter and summer seasons, from electricity generators in different locations in Erbil city (Kurdistan reign-Iraq) were investigated. Another additional diesel sample, which was obtained from the directly fractional distillation of Khurmala oilfield near Erbil city was also investigated. The samples were evaluated and compared their sulfur content, flash point, density (API), pour point, aniline point, cetane number and distillation curves with worldwide guidelines. It was observed from the evaluation of these samples that most of the diesel samples have higher sulfur content, lower flash point, higher pour point, lower cetane number, naphthenic character and have low IBP, low 10% distillation temperature, normal 50% distillation temperature and Final Boiling point (FBP). While the diesel fuel obtained from the fractional distillation of Khurmala crude oil gave acceptable values in all specification tests according to Iraqi guideline.

Keywords

• diesel
• khurmala oilfield
• api
• flash point
• cetane number