FDBZS 24: 20XX  
 
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 ISSUED  FOR COMMENTS ONLY      
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo  
 
FINAL DRAFT  
BELIZE STANDARD  
SPECIFICATION FOR DIESEL FUEL (HIGH SULPHUR, LOW SULPHUR  AND ULTRA -
LOW SULPHUR)  
 
 
 
ooooooooooooooooooooo  
 
 
 
This is a draft and should not be regarded or used as Belize Standard.  
 
 
Date of Issue:   25/04/201 7  Closing Date for Comments: 30 /06/2017  
 
 
 
Belize Bureau of Standards  
Ministry of Works Compound  
Power Lane  
P.O. Box:  430  
Belmopan City, Cayo District  
Belize, C.A.  
Telephone:  501 -822-0446/0447  
Fax:  501 -822-2571  
Emai l:  tbtenquiry -belize@bbs.gov.bzFDBZS 24: 2017  
 
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FINAL DRAFT BELIZE NATIONAL STANDARD  SPECIFICATIO N FOR 
DIESEL FUEL (HIGH SULPHUR, LOW SULPHUR AND ULTRA -LOW 
SULPHUR)  
 
Committee Representation  
 
The preparation of this standard for the Standards Advisory Council established under 
the Standards Act 1992  was carried out under the supervision of the Bureau’s Technical 
Committee for Fuels and Lubricants , which at the time comprised the following 
members:  
 
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE  
CHAIRMAN       REPRESENTING  
Mr. Freddy Flores      Puma Energy Ltd.  
MEMBERS       REPRESENTING  
Mr. Edgar Eck       Department of Environment  
Mr. Ramsay Leacock      Puma Energy Ltd.  
Mr. Ryan Cobb  Ministry of Public Service, Energy, 
and Public Utilities  
Mr. Carlos Escobar      Uno Petrol Ltd . 
Mr. Juan Carlos Gutierrez     Uno Petrol Ltd . 
Mr. Michael Hall      Sol Belize Ltd  
Mr. Rufino Lin      Sol Belize Ltd.  
Mr. Andrew Burrowes     ALBA PetroCaribe Belize Energy 
       Ltd. 
Technical Secretary  
Mr. Lloyd Orellano  
Belize Bureau of Standards  
 
 
 
 FDBZS 24: 2017  
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
 
1 SCOPE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  5 
2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES  ................................ ................................ ................  5 
3  TERMS AND DEFINITIONS  ................................ ................................ ..................  6 
4  REQUIREMENTS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 7 
4.1 General  composition ................................ ................................ ..........................  7 
4.2 Properties ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  7 
5  SAMPLING  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  7 
5.1 Samples from  dispensing pumps  ................................ ................................ ....... 7 
5.2 Samples from  other  sources ................................ ................................ ...............  8 
6 TEST METHODS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 8 
 
Table  1 — Diesel fuel requirem ents ................................ ................................ .................  8 
 
Annex  A (normative) Sampling  of automotive  diesel  fuel ................................ ............  10 
Annex B  (informative)  Explanatory notes on the properties of  automotive diesel fuel  12 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 BELIZE  STANDARD  SPECIFICATION FOR DIESEL FUEL (HIGH 
SULPHUR, LOW SULPHUR AND ULTRA -LOW SULPHUR)  
 
0 FOREWORD  
 
0.1 The Belize Bureau of Standards has recommended that this standard be 
declared a compulsory standard to protect the consumer or user against 
danger to health or safety, to protect the environment, and to ensure a 
minimum acceptable quality of diesel fuel sold o r used in Belize . 
0.2 It  is  intended  that  the  limits  for  sulphur  content,  cetane  number,  
cetane  index, and total  aromatic hydrocarbon content be revised when 
the manufacturer  or supplier  is able to meet more stringent requirements.  
0.3 This na tional standard has been developed in recognition of the consumer 
concerns as it relates to quality of the product with respect to performance, 
environmental and health concerns present in a growing nation which is 
increasing the use of  vehicles that use diesel fuel. This standard represents 
one aspect of efforts to minimize air pollution with a view to reducing 
harmful effects to the public and the environment. It includes 
requirements for three key properties, namely, cetane value (number and 
index), sulp hur content and aromatic hydrocarbon content.  
0.4 This standard is intended for compliance by manufacturers , suppliers  and 
distributors of diesel fuel.  
0.5 In the preparation of this national standard considerable assistance was 
derived from the following documents.  
 ASTM D975-11b  Standard  Specification for Diesel Fuel Oil ; 
 COPANIT 71 -381-2008  Specification for Automotive Diesel Fuel 
    Grade 2D , Panama ; 
 TTS 569: 2007   Automotive Diesel Fuel Specification , 
    Trinidad and Tobago ; 
 NOM -086-2005   Fossi l fuels specification for   
    environmental protection , Mexico ; 
 RTCA 75.02.17:06   Diesel Products – Specification for Diesel 
    Fuel Oils, Central American Technical 
    Regulation ;  
 NOM -086-2005   Fossil fuels specification for   
    environmental protection, Mexico  FDBZS 24: 2017  
 
Page 5 of 15 
  Jamaica Technical Regulations for Automotive Diesel oil , August 31, 
2009.  
1 SCOPE  
  
This standard specifies the  physical -chemical characteristics for Grade 2D Diesel 
(High Sulphur, Low Sulphur and Ultra -Low Sulphur)  for use  in Belize . 
2 NORMATIVE REFERENCES  
 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this 
document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any 
amen dments) applies.  
ASTM International  
a) ASTM D86 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products at 
Atmospheric Pressure;  
 
b) ASTM D93 - Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky -Martens 
Closed Cup Tester ; 
 
c) ASTM D97 -  Standard Test Method for  Pout Point of Petroleum Oils;  
 
d) ASTM D129 - Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products ; 
 
e) ASTM D130  - Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from 
Petroleum  Products by  Copper Strip Test ; 
 
f) ASTM D189 - Standards Test Method for  Conradson Carbon Residue of 
Petroleum Products;  
 
g) ASTM D 287 - Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density of 
Liquids by Digital Density Meter ; 
 
h) ASTM D445  - Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent 
and Opaque Liquids  (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity) ; 
 
i) ASTM D482  -  Standard Test Method for Ash from Petroleum Products ; 
 
j) ASTM D524 -  Standard Test Method for Ramsbottom Carbon Residue of 
Petroleum Products;  FDBZS 24: 2017  
 
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k) ASTM D613  -  Standard Test Method for Cetane Number of Diesel Fuel Oil ; 
 
l) ASTM D1298  -  Standard Practice for Density, Relative Density (Specific 
Gravity)  or  API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products 
by Hydrometer Method ; 
 
m) ASTM D1319  - Standard Test Method for Hydrocarbon Types in Liquid 
Petroleum  Products by Fluorescent Indicator Absorption ; 
 
n) ASTM D1500  - Standards Test Method for ASTM in Petroleum Products 
(ASTM Color Scale) ; 
 
o) ASTM D 2709  - Standards Test Method for Water and Sediment in Distillate 
Fuels by Centrifuge;  
 
p) ASTM D250 0 - Standard Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum 
Products;  
 
q) ASTM D 4176  - Standards Test Method for  Free Water and Particulate 
Contamination in Distillate Fuels;  and 
 
r) ASTM D4737  -  Standard Test Method for Calculated Cetane Index by Four 
Variable Equation ; 
3  TERMS AND DEFINITIONS  
For the purposes of this document, the follow ing terms and definitions apply:  
 
3.1 API Gravity means a special function of the relative density (specific 
 gravity) 15.56 0C/15.56 0C (600F/600F), defined as the relationship of the 
 mass of an equal volume of pure water at the same temperature. API 
 Gravity is calculated by:  
 API Grav ity (0API) = (141.5/d 15.56 0C/15.56 0C) – 131.5  
  where:  
  d 15.56 0C/15.56 0C: Relative Density 15.56 0C/15.56 0C 
3.2 Cetane Number  means a measure  of the ignition quality of the fuel on 
 the combustion process which influences the start of the engine  in the 
 control of emissions and the anti -knock.  FDBZS 24: 2017  
 
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 3.3 Cetane Index  means an estimation of the cetane number (ignition quality) 
for distillate fuels or API gravity and from distillation temperature to 
obtain 50% of evaporation, by means of the formula.  
3.4 Compression ignition engine  means an engine in which the fuel is 
ignited by the heat of highly compressed air  
NOTE  In compression ignition engines, ignition occurs spontaneously 
when the diesel fuel is sprayed into the hot air. In some cases, 
ignition is also induced by the presence of a glow plug.  
3.5 Flash point  means the lowest test temperature at which a fuel sample 
produces a vapour -air mixture that ignites on exposure to an open test 
flame . 
3.6 High Sul phur Diesel Fuel (S5000)  - means a homogenous fuel derived 
from fractionation or from the primary di stillation of crude oil or any other 
fossil fuel, suitable for use in internal combustion engines of compression 
ignition (Diesel), who se maximum sulfur content is 0. 5% by weight (500 0 
ppm wt).  
3.7 Low Sulph ur Diesel Fuel (S 500) - means a homogenous fuel derived 
 from fractionation or from the primary distillation of crude oil or any 
 other fossil fuel, suitable for use in internal combustion engines of 
 compression ignition (Diesel), whose maximum sulfur content is 0.05% 
 by weight (500 ppm wt).  
3.8 Ultra -Low Sulf ur Diesel Fuel (ULSD) (S15)  - means a homogenous fuel 
derived from fractionation or from the primary di stillation of crude oil or 
any other fossil fuel, suitable for use in internal combustion engines of 
compression ignition (Diesel), who se maximum sulfur content is 0.0 015% 
by weight ( 15 ppm wt).  
4  REQUIREMENTS  
4.1 General  composition  
Diesel fuel shall: 
a) consist of hydrocarbons; and 
NOTE: Diesel fuel may contain additives. 
b) be visually f ree of water, sediment  and suspend ed matter. 
4.2 Properties 
Diesel fuel shall conform to the requirements specified in Table 1. 
5  SAMPLING  
5.1 Samples from  dispensing pumps  
Representative  samples  of  diesel  fuel  from  dispensing  pumps  shall  
be  collected  in accordance with Annex A. FDBZS 24: 2017  
 
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 5.2 Samples from  other  sour ces 
Sampling from sources other  than dispensing pumps shall be carried 
out in accordance with ASTM  D4057 or ASTM  D4177.  
6 TEST METHODS  
 Tests to determine compliance with the requirements given in clause 4.2 shall 
 be carried out in accordance with the ASTM method(s) specified for each 
 property presented in Table 1  or any other approved methods by the Belize 
 Bureau of Standards . 
Table  1 - Specification for Grade 2D - Diesel Fuel  
Property 
Description  ASTM 
Test 
Method  UNITS  High Sulphur  
(S5000)  Low Sulphur      
(S500)  Ultra -Low 
Sulphur            
(S15)  
min max min max min max 
Appearance  D4176  - clear and bright  
Additives  - - Report  
API Gravity @ 
60 0F D1298   Report  
Color ASTM  D1500  - - 
 2.5 - 2.5 - 2.5 
Flash point  D93 0C (F) 60 
(140)  - 60 (140)  - 60 (140)  - 
Cetane Index, 
calculated  D976  - 45 - 45 - 45 - 
Cetane Number  D613  - 45 - 45 - 45 - 
Copper Strip 
Corrosion 
rating, max (3h 
at 500C) D130  - - 2 - 2 - 2 
Ash content  D482  % mass 
(% wt)  - 0.01 - 0.01 - 0.01 
Water and 
sediment  D2709  % vol  - 0.05 - 0.05 - 0.05 
Distillation 10% 
recovered  D86 0C Report  
Distillation 50% 
recovered  D86 0C Report  
Distillation 90% 
recovered  D86 0C 282 360 282 360 282 360 
Final boiling 
point  D86 0C Report  
Distillation 
residue  D86 0C Report  
Kinematic 
Viscosity at 
400C D445  mm2/S 1.9 4.1 1.9 4.1  
1.9  
4.1 
Sulfur content  D129  % wt  - 0.5 - 0.05 - 0.0015  
Carbon residue 
Conradson  on 
10 % distillation 
residue  
or D189 
 
 
 
 
 % wt  
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 0.1 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 0.1 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 0.1 
 
 
 
 
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 Carbon residue 
Ramsbottom on 
10% distillation 
residue  D524  % wt  - 0.13 - 0.13  
-  
0.13 
Pour Point  D97 0C Report  
Cloud Point  D2500  0C 10 max  
Aromatic  
contents  D1319  % vol  Report  
Lubricity  D6079  microns  - 520 - 520 - 520 
7 SAFETY AND HANDLING  
  
 Diesel Grade 2D shall be distributed in s uch a manner that ensures the safety of 
 the people, product and the environment  during transportation, storage and 
 distribution  in accordance with established standards for this area . 
8 TRANSPORTATION  
  
The transportation of fuels and flammable materials shall comply with the 
regulations of the transport department and fire department  and in accordance 
with established standards for this area . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Annex  A (normative)   
Sampling  of diesel  fuel from dispensing pumps  
A.1 General  
 This annex sets out procedures for obtaining a representative sample of 
 diesel fuel for analysis from a dispensing pump.  
A.2 Apparatus  
 The apparatus for obtaining a representative sample from a dispensing pump 
 shall include the following items:  
 a) a stock of cans to be used for the sole purpose of obtaining samples of 
  diesel fuel. The cans shall be of 1 L and 5 L capacity and shall comply 
  with the requirements of ASTM D4057. Each can shall have a fuel -
  resistant  sealing washer positioned in its cap; and  
  NOTE : Other suitable sample containers may be used. These 
    containers must also meet the requirements specified in 
    ASTM D4057.  
 b) a clean dry metal funnel washed with proper bonding/grounding cable . 
  NOTE : Plastic funnels shall not be used.  
A.3 Procedure  
 Where practical, it shall be ensured that the sampling pr ocedure is not carried 
 out in direct sunlight. The following procedure shall be observed.  
a) Remove all possible sources of ignition.  
 
b) Before use, all cans shall be checked to ensure that each is sound and does 
not allow leakage. Also, each can shal l be thoroughly rinsed with a small 
quantity of diesel fuel from the stock  to be sampled and checked to ensure 
 that it is at ambient temperat ure. The disposal of diesel fuel used 
to rinse the can shall be done in accordance with the Department of the 
Environment (DOE) requirements.  
 
c) Using the clean, dry, metal funnel, carefully draw 5 L of diesel fuel into 
cans from the dispensing pump. Where i t is desirable to have more than a 
5 L sample, the operation shall be subsequently repeated before the pump 
is used again for any other purpose.  
 
d) Immediately after drawing the diesel fuel from the pump, using the funnel, 
decant the 5 L of sample or samples  into the requisite number of 1 L cans, 
ensuring that the cans are filled to approximately 25 mm from the brim. 
Tighten the screw caps fully and check to ensure that there are no leaks.  
  NOTE : Although two 1 L cans of sample are sufficient for the 
    determination  of cetane number and certain other tests, it 
    is advisable to collect and retain extra stock of the diesel 
    fuel being sampled to cater for repeated testing.  FDBZS 24: 2017  
 
Page 11 of 15 
 e) All samples shall be labeled. The labels shall contain the following 
information  but not limited to the product, reference number, pump 
number, date, time and person taking the sample.  
A.4 Sample storage  
 Except when being transferred, samples shall be maintained in a closed 
 container in order to prevent loss of light components. Sam ples shall be 
 protected during storage to prevent degradation from light, heat or other 
 detrimental condition.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Annex B  
(informative)  
Explanatory notes on the properties of diesel fuel  
 
B.1 General  
 This annex provides a general explanation of the significance of the properties 
 of diesel fuel.  
B.2 Aromatics  
 Aromatic hydrocarbons in comparison to other types of hydrocarbons are 
 denser, have poorer self - ignition qualities and produce more soot on 
 combustion. A typically straight run diesel fuel may contain 20 % - 40 % 
 aromatics by volume in comparison to a diesel fuel blended from catalytically 
 cracked stocks which may contain between 40% and 60% aromatics.   The latter 
 in comparison has signifi cantly lower cetane number values, and results in 
 more difficulty in cold -starting, increased combustion noise, and emissions of  
 hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Efforts to reduce diesel emissions have 
 resulted in the regulation of aromatic hydrocarbo n content.   
B.3 Ash  
 Ash-forming materials in diesel fuel may be present in two forms:  
 a)   suspended solids; and  
 b)   soluble metallic soaps.  
 The suspended solids contribute to wear of various engine components and also 
 to engine deposits. The metal lic soaps have little effect on engine wear but may 
 contribute to engine deposits.  
B.4 Carbon residue  
 Carbon residue is a measure of the carbon/coke -forming tendencies of a diesel 
 fuel when heated under prescribed conditions.   It cannot be directly rel ated to 
 the formation of deposits  in engine components; it is considered to be an 
 indication of this tendency.  
B.5 Cetane index  
 The cetane index is an estimation of cetane number of a fuel which is often 
 used for routine monitoring.  The index value is  computed from correlations of 
 the diesel fuel’s physical properties. It may be used for estimating cetane 
 number when:  
 a)   a cetane test engine is not available;  
 b)   the quantity of sample is insufficient for a test engine determination; or  
 c)   a  quick check on the quality of fuel during production is needed.  
 NOTE : For this purpose it has limited application  FDBZS 24: 2017  
 
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  Cetane index may also be specified as a limitation on the amount of high 
 aromatic components in some fuel types.  
B.6 Cetane number  
 Cetane  number is a measure of ignition quality of a fuel. Ignition quality 
 describes the readiness of the fuel to ignite spontaneously under certain 
 conditions of temperature and pressure in the engine’s combustion chamber.  
 Increasing cetane number typically requires lowering the aromatic content of the 
 fuel, unless it is increased by the use of additives. It also increases engine 
 efficiency up to a certain level and reduces the emission of polyaromatic 
 hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and pa rticulates in some 
 cases.  
B.7 Copper strip corrosion  
 This test is a measure of possible corrosiveness of the diesel fuel to copper, 
 brass or bronze parts of the engine fuel system and of the fuel distribution and 
 storage network.  
B.8 Distillation  
 Distillation tests reflect the volatility of the fuel.  Volatility requirements vary 
 with engine design, size, speed, load variations, starting and atmospheric 
 conditions. Generally, there must be some trade off made between the better 
 performance of high v olatility fuels with respect to rapidly fluctuating loads and 
 speeds, particularly in relation to emissions, and the better fuel economy of the 
 heavier types of fuel.  
B.9 Flash point  
 Flash point is the temperature at which the fuel produces a vapour -air 
 mixture that ignites on exposure to a test flame. This measurement is specified 
 as a safety precaution against hazards under normal use, storage and handling. It 
 is an indication of the flammability of the diesel fuel.  
B.10  Kinematic viscosity  
 The  actual  injection  timing  of  an  engine  depends  on  fuel  viscosity  
 (among  other  properties). Optimization of vehicle manufacturer’s pump setting 
 will therefore depend upon the specified range for fuel viscosity. Values outside 
 this range wi ll affect fuel delivery and other operations under running 
 conditions.  
 Low viscosity fuel may cause excessive wear in some injection pumps and 
 power loss due to pump injector leakage. Combustion may also be impaired and 
 power economy decreased.  
 High v iscosity fuel may cause filter damage or pump drive -line wear because of 
 increased pump resistance.  It can also cause poor atomization and hence   poor 
 combustion.   This may be accompanied by loss of power and economy,  and 
 the washing away of the lub ricating oil film on cylinder walls which may  in 
 turn cause dilution of the crankcase oil and excessive wear. In addition, there FDBZS 24: 2017  
 
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  is also a risk of rotary fuel injection pump seizure at start up under cold 
 conditions.  
B.11  Oxidation  stability  
 The abil ity of the fuel to retain its pertinent properties between manufacture and 
 use is an important quality requirement. Oxidation stability is one of the 
 measures of diesel fuel stability.  
 Air  and  water  in  contact  with  diesel  fuel  may  cause  oxidat ion,  
 particularly  if  the  fuel  contains hydrotreated cracked products which are 
 relatively unstable. High temperatures may also accelerate the oxidation 
 process.  Accordingly, prolonged storage of fuel in such environments can 
 result in oxidation w hich is accompanied by the formation of gums and  
 sediment. These may cause filter plugging, combustion chamber deposit 
 formation, and gumming or lacquering of injection system components with 
 resultant sticking and wear.  
B.12  Polyaromatic  hydrocarbon (PAH)  
 PAHs are chemical compounds that consist of fused aromatic rings.  They are 
 formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon - containing fuels such as wood, 
 coal, diesel, fat or tobacco. The simplest PAHs as defined by the International 
 Union on Pur e and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) are phenanthrene and 
 anthracene isomers of three fused rings (C4   H10).  Smaller molecules such as 
 benzene and naphthalene are not formally PAHs, although they are chemically 
 related.  
B.13   Sediment content  
 Generally s ediment in fuel consists of carbonaceous material, metal or other 
 inorganic material. It may consist of rust and metal particles from fuel tanks 
 and lines or dirt entering from the atmosphere or poor house -keeping practices. 
 Instability and resultant de gradation of fuel in contact with air contribute to the 
 formation of organic sediment, particularly during storage and handling at 
 elevated temperatures. Sediment can cause premature blocking of filters, 
 deposits, and wear in both the injection system a nd the engine itself.  
B.14   Sulphur content  
 Sulphur content of fuels affects vehicular emissions and engine wear. It also 
 contributes to engine deposits. Engine wear is a result of both the corrosive 
 nature of the combustion by -products of sulphur containing compounds present 
 in the fuel, and the ‘active’ sulphur which tends to attack and corrode injection 
 system components. A reduction in the sulphur content of diesel fuel, results 
 both in a decrea se of sulphur oxides and particulates in exhaust emissions and 
 engine wear. However if the sulphur content is reduced below a certain level 
 and lubricating additives are not added to the fuel, engine wear may increase 
 since the inherent lubricating prop erties of some of the naturally occurring 
 sulphur compounds are lost.  
 
 FDBZS 24: 2017  
 
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 B.15   Water content  
 Water in fuel may cause corrosion of the injection system components and may 
 promote fungal and bacterial growth which can cause filter blocking. Water 
 general ly impairs the desirable bright and clear appearance of the fuel.