EN 590


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.
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.

History

The EN 590 had been introduced along with the European emission standards. With each of its revisions the EN 590 had been adapted to lower the sulphur content of diesel fuel - since 2007 this is called ultra low sulphur diesel as the former function of sulphur as a lubricant is absent.
emission standardat latestsulphur contentcetane number
Euro 11. January 1993max. 0,200%min. 49
Euro 21. January 1996max. 0,050%min. 49
Euro 31. January 2001max. 0,035%min. 51
Euro 41. January 2006max. 0,005%min. 51
Euro 51. January 2009max. 0,001%min. 51
Euro 61. January 2014

Generally applicable requirements and test methods

GOST R 52368-2005

Winter Diesel

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.
CharacteristicsClass AClass BClass CClass DClass EClass FUnits
CFPP+50-5-10-15-20°C
Density at 15 °C820 - 860820 - 860820 - 860820 - 860820 - 860820 - 860kg/m³
Viscosity at 40 °C2 - 4,52 - 4,52 - 4,52 - 4,52 - 4,52 - 4,5mm²/s
Cetane index464646464646
Cetane number494949494949

CharacteristicsClass 0Class 1Class 2Class 3Class 4Unit
CFPP-20-26-32-38-44°C
Cloud point-10-16-22-28-34°C
Density at 15 °C800 - 845800 - 845800 - 845800 - 840800 - 840kg/m³
Viscosity at 40 °C1,5 - 4,01,5 - 4,01,5 - 4,01,4 - 4,01,2 - 4,0mm²/s
Cetane index4646454343
Cetane number4747464545

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