[Kasteo]

I would like to know what kind of colour they are using to dye the diesel fuel? I believe it's a kind of sovent dye, but what kind of sovent dye that doesn't harm the car engine. I heard some people say that they use a sovent dye that use in the plastic indrustry. Is that true?

Thank you,

[eugenedakin]

Hello Kasteo,

There is no standardized dye that colours diesel fuel.  Diesel sold to trucks on the highway in Canada is undyed.  Diesel sold to farmers usually has purple dye added to the fuel (less taxes on this fuel).

This dye is almost always hydrocarbon based.  Addition of a water based dye will usually not mix with diesel and will settle on the bottom of the holding tank.  The same dye can be used in the plastic industry, as well as other areas.

Dyes are usually added at very low concentration (less than 0.01 percent), and typically has increased lubricity values (laboratory tested).

I hope this helps,

Eugene Dakin Ph.D., P.Chem.