Ameer Randolph
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel used in diesel engines. It is a distillate fuel oil, with No. 2 diesel being a common variety. Diesel fuel is sourced from petroleum distillation, and its use in electrical generation has decreased over time due to price competition and environmental concerns. Diesel fuel has various colloquial names and is known as distillate in Australia, Solar in Indonesia and the Middle East, and gas oil in France. It is marked by a red dye for industrial purposes and requires a license for use in vehicles on public roads.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official term | DERV (Diesel-engine road vehicle) |
| Origin | Experiments conducted by German scientist Rudolf Diesel for his compression-ignition engine |
| Composition | Combination of primarily C10 to C19 hydrocarbon molecules |
| Composition details | 64% aliphatic molecules, 35% aromatics, and 2% alkene molecules |
| Common use | Used in high-speed diesel engines, such as those in railroad locomotives, trucks, and automobiles |
| Other uses | Used as fuel for several non-diesel engines, e.g., the Akroyd engine, the Stirling engine, or boilers for steam engines |
| Standardization | Standardized in the European Union as EN 590 |
| Colloquial names | White diesel, distillate, Solar (in Indonesia, Israel, and the Middle East), gas oil |
| No. 2 fuel oil | Distillate home heating oil, chemically similar to diesel fuel |
| No. 1 fuel oil | Light distillate fuel oil with distillation temperatures of 400°F at the 10% recovery point and 550°F at the 90% recovery point |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel for diesel engines
Diesel fuel is a combustible liquid used for diesel engines. It is derived from crude oil through fractional distillation, consisting mainly of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons with a boiling point range of approximately 163–357 °C. Diesel fuel has a good storage and combustion property, making it the standard liquid fuel for stationary gas turbines.
Diesel fuel is a complex mixture, with several definitions and classifications used in different countries. In Europe, for example, diesel fuel is referred to as DIN EN 590. The different types of diesel fuel include white diesel (or road diesel/DERV) and red diesel (or gas oil). Red diesel is primarily used for agricultural machinery, commercial equipment, and industrial engines. On the other hand, white diesel is used for road vehicles.
There are several grades of diesel fuel, such as "light-middle" and "middle" distillates for high-speed engines and "heavy" distillates for low and medium-speed engines. The highest grades, used for automobile and truck engines, are the most volatile, whereas the lowest grades, used for low-speed engines, are the least volatile and have the highest sulfur content.
Diesel fuel releases more energy during combustion than equal volumes of gasoline, resulting in better fuel economy in diesel engines. Additionally, diesel fuel production requires fewer refining steps than gasoline, traditionally making it more affordable. However, diesel fuel produces higher levels of certain air pollutants, such as sulfur and solid carbon particulates.
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Number 2 fuel oil is used for heating buildings
Number 2 fuel oil, also known as diesel distillate, residual fuel oil, heavy distillate, or bunker oil, is commonly used for heating buildings. It is a distillate heating oil that is widely used for home heating, particularly in the Northeastern United States, where it is the most common oil for home heating. Number 2 fuel oil is derived from the light gas oil cut and has a similar chemical composition to diesel fuel.
Number 2 fuel oil is used in commercial boilers for heating buildings and power generation in engines and power plants. When burned, it leaves behind contaminants such as sulfur and nickel. It is also used in heavy-duty engines and commercial generators to produce electricity. Its Btu rating, or British thermal units, makes it efficient for heating homes.
The use of Number 2 fuel oil for heating buildings offers some advantages. For instance, it is tax-free, which helps keep prices low and makes it an affordable option for homeowners. Additionally, it has a high flash point of 52°C (126°F), making it relatively safe for indoor use.
Number 2 fuel oil can also be blended with other oils to improve its performance in cold weather. For example, it can be mixed with Number 1 fuel oil or kerosene to reduce sludge formation and create a cleaner burn. However, it is important to consult a heating expert or oil provider before creating a blend to ensure the ratio is appropriate for the specific circumstances.
While Number 2 fuel oil is primarily used for heating buildings, it is important to note that it should not be used interchangeably with diesel fuel in vehicles. Using Number 2 fuel oil in a diesel car is illegal and may result in legal consequences.
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Number 1 diesel fuel is a light distillate fuel oil
Number 1 diesel fuel is often used in conjunction with other types of diesel fuel, such as Number 2 diesel fuel, which has a higher distillation temperature of 640 degrees Fahrenheit at the 90-percent recovery point. Number 2 diesel fuel is used in high-speed diesel engines that are typically operated under uniform speed and load conditions, found in vehicles such as railroad locomotives, trucks, and automobiles.
The different types of diesel fuel are distinguished by their distillation temperatures and the specific applications they are suited for. Number 1 diesel fuel, with its lower distillation temperature, is designed for engines that experience frequent variations in speed and load, while Number 2 diesel fuel is more suitable for engines operating under consistent conditions.
In addition to these diesel fuels, there are also variations such as low-sulfur and high-sulfur options. Low-sulfur diesel fuel, for example, is commonly used for blending on-road fuels, especially during winter months, to prevent the fuel from solidifying or gelling in colder temperatures. High-sulfur diesel fuel, on the other hand, finds applications in various off-road agricultural and industrial purposes, such as crop drying ovens.
The use of diesel fuel and fuel oil plays a significant role in transportation, industrial processes, and power generation. Number 1 diesel fuel, as a light distillate fuel oil, contributes to the diverse energy landscape by powering high-speed diesel engines in specific operational contexts.
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Diesel fuel is also known as petrodiesel
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. These are internal combustion engines that use fuel ignition without a spark, instead relying on the compression of inlet air and the injection of fuel. Diesel fuel is most commonly a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but it can also be derived from non-petroleum sources such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel.
In academic circles, the term "petrodiesel" is sometimes used to refer specifically to petroleum-derived diesel fuel, distinguishing it from non-petroleum-based alternatives. This is especially relevant as non-petroleum-based diesel fuels are becoming increasingly common and adopted. For example, in the United States, petroleum-derived diesel comprises about 75% saturated hydrocarbons and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons, while biodiesel is becoming more popular.
The use of the term "petrodiesel" helps to differentiate between diesel fuels derived from petroleum and those derived from other sources. It provides a specific label for the petroleum-based variety, which is helpful when discussing the different properties, characteristics, and applications of the various types of diesel fuel.
Petrodiesel, or petroleum-derived diesel, is widely used in high-speed diesel engines, particularly in motor vehicles such as cars and lorries. It is also used in gas turbine engines and some other types of internal combustion engines. Diesel fuel is popular in Europe, with over half of new car registrations using this type of fuel. Diesel engines are known for their fuel efficiency, offering up to 40% greater efficiency than spark-ignited petrol engines with similar power output.
However, diesel fuel also has some disadvantages. For example, in cold climates, diesel fuel's viscosity increases as the temperature decreases, causing it to gel and affecting its flow in fuel systems. Additionally, diesel exhaust, especially from older engines, can be harmful to health, and diesel fuel production contributes to environmental concerns.
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Diesel fuel can be used in non-diesel engines
Diesel fuel is obtained from petroleum distillation, either as a distillate or residue. Diesel engines use compression ignition and do not have spark plugs. They have a high-pressure fuel delivery system. Diesel is heavier and less volatile, composed of longer hydrocarbon chains. It is used to power industrial and commercial engines, domestic heating systems, and some machinery.
Gasoline and diesel fuels are not interchangeable due to differences in ignition requirements and combustion characteristics. Using diesel fuel in a non-diesel engine can result in significant harm due to improper ignition and incomplete combustion, potentially leading to engine malfunction or failure. Therefore, using the correct fuel for each engine type is crucial to prevent damage to engine components.
If diesel fuel is used in a non-diesel engine, it can lead to severe damage due to improper ignition and incomplete combustion. This can cause misfiring, reduced engine power, and potential stalling. The high-pressure diesel fuel delivery system is also not suitable for delivering gasoline to the cylinders. The diesel engine has a 23:1 compression ratio, which would quickly lead to detonation if fueled with gasoline. This needs to be reduced to around 10:1 if the engine is to run safely on gasoline.
However, it is possible to convert a diesel engine to run on gasoline, although it requires major engineering changes to the motor. For example, spark plugs need to be installed in the combustion chamber, and the pistons may need to be machined down to lower the compression ratio. While it is a challenging process, it is possible, as demonstrated by YouTubers Garage 54, who successfully converted an old diesel minivan engine to run on gasoline.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel, also called diesel oil, heavy oil, or DERV, is any liquid fuel specifically designed for use in a diesel engine.
Light fuel oil is a distillate home heating oil. It is chemically similar to diesel fuel and can be used for the same purposes.
Fuel oil is obtained from petroleum distillation, either as a distillate or a residue. It is the heaviest commercial fuel acquired from refining crude oil.
There are several numbered fuel oils with different variations, including No. 1 (coal oil, stove oil, range oil), No. 2 (diesel fuel, heating oil), No. 4 (distillate fuel oil and residual fuel oil blend), and No. 5 (residual fuel oil).
Diesel fuel is used in diesel engines, such as those found in heavy trucks, railroad locomotives, and automobiles. It can also be used in non-diesel engines, such as boilers for steam engines.
