EN 590

What is EN 590?

EN 590 is a European standard that specifies the requirements for diesel fuels. It was first published in June 1993 and is regularly updated to meet current requirements. This standard is valid throughout the European Union, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, and defines uniform conditions and testing methods for diesel fuels.

History and Development

EN 590 was initially introduced to support the new emission standards in Europe. With the development of each Euro emission standard, the requirements for diesel fuels were also tightened:

  • Euro 1 (1993): Maximum sulfur content of 0.200% and a cetane number of at least 49.
  • Euro 2 (1996): Maximum sulfur content of 0.050% with the same cetane number.
  • Euro 3 (2001): Sulfur content was reduced to 0.035%, and the minimum cetane number increased to 51.
  • Euro 4 (2006): Further reduction of sulfur content to 0.005%.
  • Euro 5 (2009): Further reduction of sulfur content to only 0.001%.
  • Euro 6 (2014): Maintenance of sulfur limits and additional adaptations to current emission regulations.

Properties and Requirements

EN 590 contains specifications for various physical and chemical properties that diesel fuel must fulfill. Here are some of the key parameters:

  • Cetane Number: At least 51. A higher cetane number improves combustion quality and reduces emissions.
  • Sulfur Content: Since 2009, the sulfur content must be a maximum of 10 mg/kg.
  • Density at 15°C: Must be between 820 and 845 kg/m³.
  • Viscosity at 40°C: The range must be between 2.00 and 4.50 mm²/s.
  • Biodiesel Content: Up to 7 vol% fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is allowed, known as B7 diesel.

Winter Diesel and Regional Adjustments

EN 590 also specifies diesel variants for different climatic zones. For temperate climates, there are six classes from A to F, while for arctic climatic zones, five classes are defined from 0 to 4. These classifications help ensure that diesel does not gel or lose its flow properties under extreme cold conditions.

Significance and Practical Application

The EN 590 standard ensures that diesel fuels in the EU and other affected countries meet uniform quality standards. This is crucial for the performance and longevity of modern diesel engines and for compliance with strict emission regulations.

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