Ultra-low sulphur distillates have greatly reduced lubricating values for fuel delivery systems exposing pumping systems to possible failure.

The Hydro-desulphurisation processing, as part of the refining process to remove sulphur from fuel, can also remove minor Oxygenated & Nitrogen-based species which give the fuel its natural lubricity. This process results in potentially fuel lubricity which is so low the fuel itself offers reduced protection.

The ISO8217 recommendation is to test fuels for lubricity whenever the sulphur level is less than 500ppm. We test lubricity of distillate fuels by, ISO 12156-1/ IP450/ ASTM D6079.