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Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for diesel engines. These engines are named after their inventor, German engineer Rudolf Diesel, who patented his original design in 1892. Diesel fuel is typically refined from crude oil and biomass materials. In recent years, alternative types of diesel fuel that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, have been developed and adopted. Biodiesel, for example, is made by chemically reacting vegetable oil or animal fat with alcohol and a catalyst, resulting in a fuel that can be used in diesel engines, boilers, or furnaces. Renewable diesel, another alternative, is made from fats and oils, such as soybean oil or canola oil, and can be used as a replacement for or blended with petroleum diesel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common uses | Used in heavy trucks, tractors, heavy equipment, freight and delivery trucks, trains, buses, boats, farm, construction, and military vehicles, some cars and light trucks, aircraft engines, and diesel-engine generators |
| Standardization | Standardized in many countries; in the European Union, the standard is EN 590 |
| Sulfur content | Ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) has substantially lowered sulfur content; ULSD is the majority of diesel fuel available in the UK, mainland Europe, and North America |
| Alternative names | Diesel oil, heavy oil, biodiesel, biomass to liquid (BTL), gas to liquid (GTL) diesel, petrodiesel |
| Composition | Liquid fuel designed for diesel engines, which are internal combustion engines; can also be used in non-diesel engines like the Akroyd engine, Stirling engine, or boilers for steam engines |
| Production | Refined from crude oil and biomass materials; can also be made from vegetable seed oil, soybean oil, canola oil, or other plant oils |
| Viscosity | Biodiesel has a viscosity similar to standard No. 2 diesel fuel |
| Environmental impact | Biodiesel is made from biodegradable materials and renewable diesel reduces carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions compared to petroleum diesel |
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Biodiesel
The use of biodiesel offers environmental benefits, as it is made from biodegradable materials and reduces the need for petroleum-based diesel, which contributes to air pollution. Ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) has been introduced to reduce the sulfur content in diesel fuel, as sulfur emissions are harmful to human health. However, diesel exhaust, especially from older engines, can still cause health issues.
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Renewable diesel
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel fuel is most commonly derived from petroleum fuel oil, but alternatives that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or renewable diesel, are increasingly being developed and adopted.
One of the most common processes for producing renewable diesel is hydrotreating, which involves reacting the feedstock (lipids) with hydrogen under elevated temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst. This process parallels the process used to "crack" crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products in a crude oil refinery. Commercial plants currently use this technology, and renewable diesel production facilities are increasingly converted parts of crude oil refineries or complete conversions of refineries.
Another technology pathway for producing renewable diesel is biological sugar upgrading, which uses a biochemical deconstruction process similar to that used with cellulosic ethanol, with the addition of organisms that convert sugars to hydrocarbons. Renewable diesel can also be produced via gasification, pyrolysis, and other biochemical and thermochemical technologies.
Nearly all domestically produced and imported renewable diesel is used in California due to economic benefits under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Production and consumption of renewable diesel in the United States are likely to increase as announced and developing projects are completed.
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Aviation fuel
The most common type of aviation fuel is Jet-A, which is made from kerosene and is similar to diesel fuel. Jet-A can be used in diesel-engine vehicles, but it lacks some of the lubricants found in road diesel fuel. Jet fuel is clear to straw-coloured and can be used in either compression ignition engines or turbine engines. It has a higher flash point than aviation gasoline, which means it is less likely to catch fire when exposed to a flame or spark. This makes it safer for use in aircraft.
Aviation gasoline (avgas) is a highly refined form of gasoline used in aircraft, with an emphasis on purity, anti-knock characteristics, and the minimization of spark plug fouling. It must meet performance guidelines for both the rich mixture condition required for take-off power settings and the leaner mixtures used during the cruise to reduce fuel consumption. Avgas is sold in much lower volumes than jet fuel but to many more individual aircraft operators.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence in aircraft diesel engine production due to the rising cost of avgas and the improved availability of diesel fuel. Diesel-powered aircraft offer excellent specific fuel consumption, reduced flammability, and higher fuel density. Additionally, the use of tetraethyllead antiknock in avgas is highly toxic and polluting, whereas diesel engines offer advantages from the standpoint of environmental protection and human health.
Alternative aviation fuels are also being developed, such as sustainable aviation fuel, aviation biofuel, and synthetic fuel ("e-jet"). These fuels can reduce emissions of particles and greenhouse gases, but they face political, technological, and economic barriers to widespread adoption. Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG) are also being considered as future fuel feedstocks for aircraft.
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Military vehicle fuel
Military vehicles have long relied on diesel fuel as their primary power source. This is due to the rugged and long-lived nature of diesel engines, as well as their fuel efficiency and lower risk of catching fire. Diesel fuel is standardised in many countries, with grades like Diesel #1 and Diesel #2, which differ in volatility and fuel economy.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in alternative fuels for military vehicles, such as biodiesel, which can be made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or a combination of the two. Biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative to petroleum-based diesel and can be used in diesel engines with some modifications. However, biodiesel has different energy and burning characteristics, which may require adjustments to the engine control unit's electronic fuel "mapping" system.
Multifuel engines are also commonly used in military vehicles, allowing them to run on a wide range of alternative fuels such as gasoline or jet fuel. This provides tactical advantages in combat situations where the usual fuel supply may be limited or inaccessible. One example is the LD series used in US M35 and M54 trucks, which could use diesel, gasoline, or jet fuel with minimal preparation.
While diesel remains the standard fuel for military vehicles, the increasing demand for alternative fuels has led to the development of flexible-fuel vehicle designs. The US military adopted a single-fuel policy for all ground-based vehicles in 1988, and NATO countries have largely standardised on diesel fuel for their vehicles. However, the specific blends and designations of diesel fuel used by NATO vary based on the environment, speed, and other factors.
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Generators
Diesel generators, also known as diesel gensets, are machines that produce electricity by burning diesel fuel. They are a combination of a diesel engine and an electric generator, usually an alternator, that generates electrical energy. The diesel engine is designed to run on diesel fuel, although some types can be adapted to use other liquid fuels or natural gas (CNG).
Diesel generators are commonly used in places without access to a power grid, providing a reliable source of electricity during power outages and interruptions to the main supply. They are also used as the main power source for off-grid homes, events, and other applications. Diesel generators are valued for their quick start-up and ability to be turned on and off rapidly without lag time. They are available in various configurations, including small and portable options, but they all function similarly and share the same primary components.
The size of a diesel generator is an important consideration, as larger engines generally produce more power. Diesel generators for homes, small shops, and offices typically range from 8 to 30-kW (or 8 to 30-kVA single-phase), while larger industrial generators for office complexes, factories, and other industrial facilities can range from 8-kW to 2,000-kW (11 kVA to 2,500-kVA three-phase). The size of a diesel generator is crucial in minimizing power shortages and ensuring sufficient power output.
In addition to their primary use in emergency power supply, diesel generators can also feed power to utility grids during peak demand periods or when there is a shortage of large power generators. This practice is known as grid paralleling and is managed by a third-party aggregator who oversees the operation of the generators and their interaction with the system operator. Diesel generators can be up and running in parallel within two minutes, making them significantly faster than base load power stations and gas turbines.
Despite their benefits, diesel generators have drawbacks, including high levels of pollution and rising fuel costs. The frequent start and stop cycles, combined with low output power, can reduce the efficiency of diesel generators and result in supplementary costs. Additionally, the high charging rate associated with diesel generators can impact storage life, necessitating a limit on storage power.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel is any liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine. It is typically derived from petroleum but can also be produced from biomass materials.
Diesel fuel is commonly used in motor vehicles, such as freight and delivery trucks, trains, buses, boats, and some cars. It is also used in aircraft, heavy equipment, and diesel-engine generators for electricity generation and backup power supply.
Yes, it is possible to make biodiesel at home from vegetable oils or animal fats. However, it requires proper equipment and caution due to the involvement of caustic, toxic, volatile, and flammable chemicals.
Biodiesel is made from biodegradable materials and produces fewer emissions, reducing carbon intensity. It also has a higher pour point, meaning it gels at a higher temperature than petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel has similar energy content to regular diesel but may be thicker and more prone to gelling at cold temperatures. It can also be more expensive if a cheap source of vegetable oil is not available.
