What is the boiling range of red diesel?

In brief

Red diesel boils over a range rather than at one temperature, roughly about 180°C to 370°C, because it is a mixture of many different hydrocarbons. Call 07950 582635 or send an enquiry.

Why fuels like red diesel boil over a range

Each compound boils at its own temperature, so a mixture starts boiling when its lightest parts vaporise and finishes when its heaviest do. Refineries use exactly this to separate crude oil into fuels.

How the boiling range of red diesel is used

Fuel standards set distillation limits, and a distillation test shows whether a sample has been mixed with lighter or heavier fuel.

Red diesel in practice

Since 1 April 2022 many businesses have been left holding red diesel they can no longer use. Usable fuel can go to an entitled user or an RDCO; contaminated or unusable fuel is waste.

How City Fuel Services handles waste red diesel

Every load of waste red diesel is assessed before anything is booked. Tell us the quantity, the containers and any contamination; we confirm the terms, collect with a suitable vehicle, and take it to a permitted facility on a consignment note.

Terms used in this answer

Flash point: The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to catch light. Petrol's is around minus 40 °C; diesel's is above 55 °C.
Gas oil (red diesel): Diesel-type fuel with a red marker dye, taxed at a lower rate for the uses where it is still allowed.

Key facts
Density at 15°C	Close to road diesel, typically about 830–860 kg/m³
Flash point	Typically above 55°C, like road diesel
Sulphur	10 mg/kg maximum for the off-road grade
Colour	Red when rebated (dye plus chemical markers)
Standard	BS 2869
Fuel	Red diesel
Also called	gas oil, rebated diesel, marked gas oil
Waste code	13 07 01* (fuel oil and diesel)
Transport	UN1202, class 3, packing group III
Standard	BS 2869 (class A2 for off-road engines)