EVOLUTION ON THE DIESEL FUELS NATIONAL STANDARDS DURING LAST DECADE AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Demands in the hydrocarbon market which have shown a continuous increase, as well as sensitivity of society to the environmental issues, in Albania, in past years have dictated improvement of national standards to the fossil fuels. In this situation, a special importance has taken the control on the quality parameters for the fossil fuels, with focus monitoring of sulfur content on fuels of domestic production and the negative proved impacts of this commodities in the environment. The consumed diesel during last decade is mainly furnished by the import and only a small proportion (25 ? 30%) has been of domestic origin. For Albanian crude oils is characteristic High sulfur content up to 6.5%, hence it is reflected on the by-products, especially to the diesel, mazut and solar and heavy oil by-product fractions. The national Standard (S SH 31:1997) with object on total sulfur content in diesel with time limit until 31/12/2009 has imposed to the market shifting of the diesel consumption with up to 2000 ppm total sulfur content. Aim of this study is analyzing of the evolution trends on the quality standards in the diesel commodity during last decade, and its environmental effects on the SO2 emissions. It has analyzed improvements by time that have accompanied the environmental issues linked to the hydrocarbon market.