What is special about Indian Oil’s winter-grade diesel?

New Delhi: Indian Oil's (IOC) winter-grade diesel, which was launched recently, is meant to specifically address the freezing of fuel in colder regions of India. Indian Oil recently dispatched BS-VI compliant winter-grade diesel to Ladakh. "It was produced for the first time at Panipat Refinery Winter Grade High-Speed Diesel (HSD) and is capable of withstanding extremely low temperatures during the winter months," the company had said in a statement.

Indian Oil's winter-grade diesel has pour point of -33°C

Indian Oil's winter-grade diesel has a "pour point" of -33 degree Celsius. The pour point of a liquid is the temperature below which it loses its flow characteristics. Paraffin present in diesel starts solidifying when temperatures reach below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. "Using the normal grade of diesel fuel becomes an arduous task for the people in the winter months where temperatures fall to sub-zero temperatures of nearly – 30°C.

However, the winter-grade diesel produced by Panipat Refinery for the first time has a pour point of –33 Degree Celsius and does not lose its fluidity function even in extreme winter weather of the region, unlike the normal grade of Diesel which becomes exceedingly difficult to utilise," the company said.

Diesel meets BIS specifications

The winter-grade diesel meets the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications for BS VI grade diesel and was produced and certified by the Panipat refinery last week. The first tank truck containing the special fuel has been flagged off from the Panipat marketing complex and subsequent supplies would be carried out from the Jalandhar terminal. From there, it will reach Leh and Kargil depot to meet the demands of customers of the region during peak winters.

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