Volatility

Typically, diesel is less volatile than gasoline. This is mainly because diesel contains heavier hydrocarbons compared to gasoline. The major hydrocarbon contained in diesel is C8-C16 hydrocarbon, while gasoline contains C4-C12 hydrocarbon.

Generally, high volatile fuel improves the engine startability, concurrently increasing hydrocarbon evaporative emissions. Diesel’s volatility is usually measured by looking at the distillation specifications. Diesel specifications usually set the distillation temperature limits at 10%, 95% and final boiling point, to obtain more complete combustion of fuel.