Shell Oil Products US has begun a market test of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Diesel, extending the company’s exclusive “Nitrogen Enriched” advanced cleaning system to diesel. (Earlier post.) The fuel has been shown to reduce fuel consumption in a test of heavy-duty vehicles and will be available on a trial basis starting 31 January 2011.
Shell Nitrogen Enriched Diesel is an ultra low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD) with an exclusive advanced cleaning system that helps protect diesel engines against performance-robbing gunk (carbon deposits) build-up on fuel injectors with continual use. Gunk build-up can impair optimal fuel flow and can result in increased fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions.
Heavy-duty truck fleet trials of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Diesel demonstrated a 4.8% reduction in fuel consumption in more severe stop-and-go city service and a 1.3% reduction in fuel consumption in less severe long-haul highway service as compared to regular ULSD.
It will be offered to both commercial as well as retail customers at select points of sale in the Nashville, TN; Baltimore, MD; and Richmond, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA areas. Shell Nitrogen Enriched Diesel will only be available to commercial customers in the Atlanta, GA area.
Shell Nitrogen Enriched Diesel also helps guard against corrosion. Like the Shell-branded ULSD in the market today, Shell Nitrogen Enriched Diesel contains lubricity agents to help prevent fuel pump and injector wear and damage. Anti-gel agents for colder winter climates will also be available where needed.