Sylvie Willis
Diesel fuel and oil share many similarities, as they are both derived from crude oil and are used for similar purposes. Crude oil is heated and distilled to separate the different hydrocarbon chains, which are then used to create a variety of products, including diesel fuel and fuel oils. Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is specifically designed for use in diesel engines, while fuel oils are used in furnaces, boilers, and some engines. Despite their distinct functions, there is occasional overlap, and diesel fuel can be used in some non-diesel engines, as well as for heating buildings.
Similarities between Oil and Diesel Fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Source | Both are sourced from crude oil |
| Composition | Both are made up of elaborate combinations of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon molecules |
| Function | Both can be used to generate electricity |
| Engine | Both are used in diesel engines |
| Additives | Both contain additives |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel and oil are both derived from crude oil
Diesel fuel and oil are indeed both derived from crude oil. Crude oil contains hundreds of different types of hydrocarbons all mixed together, and these hydrocarbons must be separated through a refining process known as fractional distillation. During fractional distillation, crude oil is heated in a distillation column, and the different hydrocarbon chains are extracted as a vapour according to their vaporisation temperatures and then recondensed.
The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, produced by fractional distillation of crude oil between 200 and 350 °C at atmospheric pressure. This results in a mixture of carbon chains that typically contain between 9 and 25 carbon atoms per molecule. Diesel fuel can also be derived from biomass materials.
Fuel oil, on the other hand, is obtained from petroleum distillation, either as a distillate or a residue. It refers to the heaviest commercial fuel acquired from refining crude oil, and it can be used in furnaces or boilers to generate heat or in engines to generate power. Fuel oil is chemically similar to diesel fuel, and they occasionally share the same purpose. For instance, No. 2 fuel oil, which is traditionally used for heating buildings, can be substituted with diesel oil in a furnace in a pinch.
However, it is important to note that while diesel fuel and oil share similarities, there are also significant differences between them. For instance, No. 2 oil is stained with a reddish dye, whereas diesel fuel has road taxes included in its price. Furthermore, diesel fuel contains more additives per volume, particularly overbase detergent additives, to neutralise acids and clean the engine. These additives are necessary because diesel engines create more soot and combustion byproducts.
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They share similar molecular structures
Crude oil contains hundreds of different types of hydrocarbons all mixed together. To produce diesel fuel, petrol, or any other oil-based products, the hydrocarbons have to be separated through a refining process known as fractional distillation. During this process, crude oil is heated in a distillation column, and the different hydrocarbon chains are extracted as a vapour according to their vaporisation temperatures and then recondensed.
The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil. Diesel fuel is structurally comparable to oils commonly used for heating buildings, such as No. 2 fuel oil. These fuels all share similar molecular structures and are made up of elaborate combinations of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon molecules.
Diesel fuel and No. 2 fuel oil also share a lot of similarities in their functions. While diesel oils are usually quite consistent in purpose, No. 2 fuel oil can be used for different reasons in various locations and environments. For instance, No. 2 fuel oil is traditionally used in heating buildings, and if you are ever short of No. 2 oil to heat your home, diesel oil can actually be used temporarily for your furnace.
In the context of engine oils, gas and diesel engine oils have the same anatomy or makeup. However, there are some differences in the lubricant's required performance for each engine type. Diesel engine oils have a higher anti-wear (AW) load in the form of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP). Diesel engine oil also has more additives per volume, the most prevalent of which are overbase detergent additives.
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They are used for different purposes
Diesel and oil are used for different purposes, despite sharing similarities and being derived from the same source.
Diesel is a distillate fuel oil used for motor vehicles with compression ignition engines. These include freight and delivery trucks, trains, buses, boats, farm and construction vehicles, and some cars and light trucks. Diesel is also used in diesel-engine generators to generate electricity, particularly in remote locations. Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil and biomass materials. Crude oil is heated in a distillation column, and the different hydrocarbon chains are extracted as a vapour and then recondensed. Diesel typically contains alkanes with 12 or more carbon atoms, giving it a higher boiling point than petrol.
Oil, on the other hand, has a broader range of uses. While diesel is primarily used as a fuel, oil has both fuel and lubricant uses. For instance, No. 2 oil is used for heating buildings and can be substituted with diesel oil in furnaces. However, oil is also used within engines to lubricate the engine's moving metal parts, creating a protective layer that reduces friction and improves fuel efficiency. Both diesel and oil engines use oil for lubrication, but the specific types of oil differ. Diesel engines require oil with a higher viscosity and additive levels than gasoline oils, as they produce more soot and combustion byproducts. Diesel engine oils also have a higher anti-wear load in the form of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), which can negatively impact gasoline engines.
In summary, while diesel and oil share similarities in their chemical composition and can occasionally be used interchangeably in certain contexts, they are primarily used for distinct purposes. Diesel is mainly used as a fuel for compression ignition engines and generators, while oil serves as both a fuel and a lubricant, with specific types of oil formulated for diesel or gasoline engines to ensure optimal performance and engine health.
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Diesel engines create more soot and combustion byproducts
All types of fuel are sourced from crude oil. Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil and biomass materials. Diesel is a popular fuel for cars in Europe, with over half of new registrations of this type.
However, diesel engines have been found to create more soot and combustion byproducts than gasoline engines. This is due to how the fuel is injected and ignited. In gasoline engines, the fuel is injected during the intake stroke and ignited with a spark, while in diesel engines, the fuel is injected during the compression stroke and ignited spontaneously from the pressure. This late fuel injection in diesel engines produces fuel-dense pockets in the combustion chamber that produce soot when ignited. The soot is a black, tar-like substance that is a common byproduct of incomplete fuel combustion.
The lean-burning nature of diesel engines, as well as the high temperatures and pressures of the combustion process, result in significant production of NOx (gaseous nitrogen oxides), an air pollutant. While total nitrogen oxides from petrol cars have decreased by around 96% through the adoption of exhaust catalytic converters, diesel cars still produce nitrogen oxides at similar levels to those from 15 years ago, emitting around 20 times more nitrogen oxides than petrol cars.
Modern diesel engines use a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to capture carbon particles and then burn them using extra fuel injected directly into the filter. This prevents carbon buildup but wastes a small amount of fuel. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is another method used to reduce NOx emissions, but it can negatively impact efficiency and increase soot production.
The harmful effects of engine soot include the formation of carbon particles on piston ring grooves, causing degradation of the oil seal and abrasion of the ring and liner. This leads to a gap between the ring and liner, allowing combustion byproducts to blow into the crankcase and causing a loss of horsepower and fuel efficiency. Engine soot buildup can also cause ring sticking and poor heat transfer from the piston to the cylinder wall.
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Diesel fuel contains more energy per litre than petrol
Diesel and petrol are both produced from mineral oil, but they differ in terms of refining methods and energy content. Diesel fuel, also known as gas oil, is made from alkanes containing 12 or more carbon atoms, with a boiling point between 250°C and 350°C. It is structurally similar to oils used for heating buildings, including No. 2 fuel oil.
Diesel fuel contains approximately 15% more energy by volume than petrol. Specifically, diesel has a calorific value of about 36.9 MJ/litre, while petrol has a value of approximately 33.7 MJ/litre. This higher energy density in diesel results in greater fuel efficiency. For example, a diesel engine can be up to 40% more efficient than a spark-ignited petrol engine with the same power output.
The higher energy content of diesel is due to its denser composition. The density of diesel fuel (EN 590) is defined as 0.820 to 0.845 kg/L at 15°C, compared to 0.720-0.775 kg/L for petrol (EN 228 gasoline). This density difference contributes to the higher volumetric energy density of diesel fuel.
Additionally, the refining process for diesel fuel is generally simpler than for petrol. Diesel is produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil between 200°C and 350°C at atmospheric pressure. This process separates the various hydrocarbon chains present in crude oil. However, diesel fuel typically contains more pollutants, including sulfur, which must be removed during refining to meet emissions standards.
In summary, diesel fuel contains more energy per litre than petrol due to its higher energy density and denser composition. This energy content advantage contributes to the higher fuel efficiency of diesel engines compared to petrol engines.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel is any liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine, a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil and from biomass materials. Oil is obtained from petroleum distillation, either as a distillate or a residue.
Diesel fuel and oil share a lot of similarities. They are both sourced from crude oil and have similar molecular structures. Diesel fuel and oil can also be used for the same purpose, although diesel fuel is usually more consistent in its function.
Diesel fuel is specifically designed for use in diesel engines, whereas oil is used in furnaces or boilers to generate heat. Diesel fuel is also standardised in many countries, whereas oil is not.
Yes, diesel fuel can be used as fuel for several non-diesel engines, such as boilers for steam engines. However, it is important to follow proper procedures when using diesel fuel for this purpose.
