No. Despite diesel fuel and Jet-A/Jet A-1 being classified as "kerosene-type" fuels, they are refined to different standards... and diesel is refined to different standards in different countries.
In the U.S., the original Diesel fuel standard as set by the ASTM in 1931, is ASTM D975. Diesel did not exist as a fuel formulated to a standard, prior to this date. Any heavy oil, refinery residue, could be called Diesel, prior to 1931.
This ASTM standard has been modified over the years, in particular with regard to ever-lowering levels of sulfur. The U.S. diesel ASTM standard is now D975-10c.
Originally, allowable sulfur levels were up to 2%. It was found that high sulfur levels were detrimental to engines and the environment, and sulfur is gradually being reduced to barely measurable, low PPM levels.
Diesel is refined into 7 grades in the U.S. - many more grades than other countries, due to severe climatic extremes, market demand, and the size of the market.
Each Diesel grade is aimed at a specific market and has relatively narrow parameters in the standard, as compared to aviation fuels.
Diesel in Europe is refined to European Standard EN 590.
Diesel in Australia is refined to the Australian, "Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001", which is more closely related to the European fuel standard for diesel.
Jet A/Jet A-1 are refined to ATSM D1655. The differences between D975 and D1655 standards are typically in the following parameters...
Freezing point
Flash point
Cloud point
Water and sediment level
Carbon residue
Ash level
Viscosity
Sulfur level
Copper corrosion
Cetane number
Lubricity
Conductivity
The differences in freezing point levels in the refining standards, between Jet A/Jet A-1 and Diesel are substantial.
Jet A-1 freezing point: < -47°C (-52.6°F)
Jet A freezing point: < -40°C (-40°F)
Diesel fuel, because it is refined to numerous grades, has a varying freeze point.
However, even the lowest Winter grade diesel will begin to gel and clog filters at -30°C to -40°C. For this reason up to 3% methanol is added to Diesel tanks of diesel road vehicles, in those countries with severe Winter temperatures, to prevent gelling.
Jet A/Jet A-1 have additional, or increased additives, as compared to Diesel, such as lubricity improvers and corrosion inhibitors, specifically designed to combat the extreme, or peculiar operating conditions inside jet engines at high altitudes and extremes of temperature, that are not regularly encountered on the surface of the Earth.
Last edited by onetrack; 28th February 2011 at 05:04.
Reason: error correction - thanks oz in dxb