Diesel is an industrial fuel that is used in many applications, including locomotives and trucks, as well as power plants. It is a cleaner option to gasoline.
However, the diesel market remains tight because distillate inventories are at multi-year lows. This is due to strong demand, shrinking domestic refine capacity and sanctions against Russian petroleum imports.
What is diesel?
Diesel is a fuel used in engines that run on compression ignition instead of spark ignition. Compression ignition is more efficient but it also means that diesel engines are much louder than gasoline-fueled engines.
The main ingredient in standard diesel is petroleum. Other sources of standard diesel include petroleum, animal fat, biomass, biogas, natural gases, and coal liquefaction.
There are seven types of diesel, as listed in Table 1.
Typically, diesel has a low sulfur content, compared to gasoline. Sulfur produces air pollution emissions that are harmful to humans. The EPA has issued requirements to reduce the sulfur content of diesel fuel sold in the United States. Most diesel sold on roads is now ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
Types of diesel engines
There are a wide range of types of diesel engines. They’re used to power a variety of vehicles and equipment, including trucks, generators, construction machinery, boats and many other industrial applications.
Unlike gasoline engines, which rely on spark ignition, diesel engines use compression ignition to burn the fuel. This system is more efficient and less noisy than spark-ignition combustion.
Compression-ignition systems ignite the air and fuel by compressing them with a compressor. This causes the fuel to heat up and vaporize, which in turn causes it to mix with the air in the engine’s combustion chamber.
There are many types of diesel engines available, including four-stroke and two-stroke models. These are the most common types of diesel engines used in commercial and residential vehicles.
Fuel efficiency
Depending on the vehicle and engine configuration, diesel engines can have a different fuel efficiency. Customers who drive a lot on the highway will generally get better fuel economy than those who drive mostly in cities.
Fuel efficiency is determined by how efficiently the engine burns the fuel. Inefficient combustion can lead to low fuel mileage and high levels of emissions in both gasoline and diesel engines.
Other factors that influence fuel efficiency include cold weather, frequent braking, and idling. Drivers can improve their vehicle’s fuel efficiency by avoiding these behaviors. They should also drive the vehicle in a consistent fashion and avoid rapid acceleration.
Maintenance
Maintaining your diesel engine’s health is important. By following a regular maintenance schedule, you can avoid costly repairs and keep your vehicle in good shape.
Regular oil change and filter changes are a great way to maintain your diesel truck. This will remove dirt and sludge from your oil, which improves lubrication as well as efficiency.
Checking and flushing the radiator is another important maintenance service for a diesel engine. This will prevent corrosion and rust from causing damage to other parts of the cooling system.
Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, your manufacturer may have a maintenance schedule for your diesel engine. It’s a good idea for you to ask your dealer if they have one.
Hi, I’m David. I’m an author of ManagEnergy.tv where we teach people how to save energy and money in their homes and businesses.
I’ve been a writer for most of my life and have always been interested in helping people learn new things. When I was younger, I would write short stories for my classmates and teach them how to do math problems.
I love traveling and have been lucky enough to visit some fantastic places around the world.
