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The Sasol Slurry Phase Distillate (SPD) process provides an opportunity to convert the world's abundant natural gas reserves into a conventional liquid fuel that is easily transportable and marketable. The high quality diesel produced by the Sasol SPD process could either be used on its own or as a blending component. Blending Sasol SPD diesel with crude oil derived diesel will improve the properties of the crude oil derived diesel so that it can meet the more stringent, environment and engine technology driven, diesel quality and emissions specifications. The properties of the Sasol SPD diesel and blends of Sasol SPD diesel and an on-highway, 2D-grade diesel fuel from the USA were compared to current and proposed specifications for high quality diesel which included CARB and Premium Diesel specifications from the USA. The compatibility of the Sasol SPD diesel with various elastomers was found to be similar to other low aromatic diesel fuels.

Transient emission tests were performed to compare emissions using fuels produced by the Sasol Slurry Phase Distillate Process, to those with US diesel fuels. A heavy-duty, four stroke, 1991 emission level diesel engine was used. Two variations of the Sasol Slurry Phase Distillate (SSPD) fuels were tested, along with fuels meeting the US 2-D and CARB specifications, as well as three blends comprising various concentrations of SSPD fuel in the 2-D fuel. It was found that the SSPD fuels produced significantly lower emissions than the 2-D and CARB fuels in all four regulated emission categories. The blended fuels generally reduced emissions in proportion to the amount of SSPD fuel in the blend. Tests were also performed at retarded injection timing settings with the SSPD fuel, which has a cetane number in excess of 70. It was found that a further reduction in NOx emissions could be obtained, without significantly compromising particulate emissions or specific fuel consumption.