Context
- Recently, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has sought approval from the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) for the use of winter diesel by armed forces for operations in high altitude areas such as Ladakh.
About Winter Diesel
- It is a specialised fuel specifically for high altitude regions and low-temperature regions such as Ladakh, where ordinary diesel can become unusable.
- It also meets the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)specification of BS-VI
- It contains additives to maintain lower viscosityby enabling the fuel to remain fluid in such conditions.
- It has a low pour point (as low as minus 30-degree celsius). It is the temperature below whichthe liquid loses its flow characteristics.
- It has a higher cetane rating— which is an indicator of the combustion speed of diesel and compression needed for ignition.
- It would lead tolower chemical deposits in engines and better performance.
- Use of winter diesel would replace use of Kerosene therefore helping in the reduction of air pollution.