Sylvie Willis
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel that is made from the byproduct of petroleum. It is specifically designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. The most common type of diesel fuel is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but alternatives that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are also available. The chemical composition of diesel fuel includes hydrocarbons, with carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C9–C20 and boiling points ranging from 163–357°C. Diesel fuel typically contains a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons (mainly paraffins) and aromatic hydrocarbons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | A complex mixture of aliphatic, olefinic, naphthenic, and aromatic hydrocarbons |
| Common chemical formula | C12H23 |
| Range of chemical formula | C10H20 to C15H28 |
| Carbon numbers | Predominantly in the range of C9–C16 |
| Boiling range | 150-300°C |
| Freezing point | Petrodiesel: -8.1°C (17.4°F), Biodiesel: 2-15°C (36-59°F) |
| Flash point | 52-96°C |
| Density | 838 g per liter |
| Viscosity | Increases as temperature decreases |
| Gelling | Occurs at -19 to -15°C (-2 to 5°F) |
| Type | Petroleum-derived, biodiesel, biomass to liquid (BTL), gas to liquid (GTL) |
| Standard | EN 590 in the European Union |
| Common synonyms | Diesel oil, auto diesel, automotive diesel oil, gas oil |
| Common use | Fuel for diesel engines |
| Refining process | Crude oil is heated to over 400°C, separating chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel made from petroleum byproducts
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel made from petroleum byproducts. It was originally intended to be coal dust, but in 1895, Rudolf Diesel discovered the use of petroleum byproducts for liquid fuel in diesel engines. Diesel fuel is a distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but alternatives that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are becoming more common.
Petroleum-derived diesel in the United States is composed of about 75% saturated hydrocarbons (mainly paraffins, including n, iso, and cycloparaffins) and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons (including naphthalenes and alkylbenzenes). The average chemical formula for diesel fuel is C12H23, ranging from C10H20 to C15H28. Diesel fuel has a higher energy density than gasoline and contains more carbon atoms. The chemical formula for gasoline is typically C9H20.
The distillation process involves heating crude oil to over 400°C, causing different chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms (hydrocarbons) to separate. Diesel fuel is formed at temperatures between 200°C and 380°C. The distillation process is more challenging at higher altitudes of the distillation tower, where the boiling temperature is lower. Diesel fuel is collected on distillation plates and transferred to a diesel holding tank.
The refining process for diesel fuel is less meticulous and cheaper than that of gasoline. However, due to demand, diesel fuel is currently more expensive. Diesel engines are also more efficient than gasoline engines, with an average efficiency of 20-30% higher. Diesel fuel has a higher melting point than gasoline, ranging from 200°C to 380°C. At temperatures below 32°F, paraffins in the fuel begin to cloud, and at temperatures below 15-10°F, the fuel "gels" and cannot power diesel engines.
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It is composed of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel that is made from the byproduct of petroleum. It is composed of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons. In the United States, petroleum-derived diesel is composed of about 75% saturated hydrocarbons (primarily paraffins including n, iso, and cycloparaffins) and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons (including naphthalenes and alkylbenzenes). The average chemical formula for common diesel fuel is C12H23, ranging approximately from C10H20 to C15H28.
Paraffins have a straight molecular structure, and they are the main reason why diesel fuel will eventually begin to turn into a solid state, a process known as gelling, which is a big problem for diesel engines. At 32 °F, the paraffin in the fuel will begin to cloud the fuel, and at 15 to 10 °F, it will begin to "gel" and make a diesel engine unable to run. Aromatics, on the other hand, create a ring-like structure with some of their carbon atoms. Aromatic hydrocarbon rings are created with six carbon atoms. They alternate single and double bonds throughout their ring structure. Another type of aromatic hydrocarbon is a polycyclic aromatic. Polycyclic aromatics are simply put as aromatic compounds with two or more aromatic rings. The simplest of all the aromatic compounds is benzene, with a chemical composition of C6H6.
The chemical composition of diesel fuel can be altered through refining processes. Crude oil is placed into a distillation tower and heated to over 400 °C. Different chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms (hydrocarbons) separate at different temperatures. Diesel fuel begins to emerge between 200 °C and 380 °C, which is collected on distillation plates and siphoned off to a diesel holding tank. Modern refining processes can also convert low-gravity crude oils into lighter products, but this requires more complex processing equipment, more processing steps, and more energy.
The most common refining processes are separation, conversion, and upgrading. Separation does not change the chemical structure of feedstock components but instead separates the crude oil into components based on some physical property, usually boiling temperature. Conversion processes change the molecular structure of feedstock components, commonly through "cracking" large molecules into smaller ones. Upgrading is used to remove trace compounds that give the material some undesired qualities. Hydrotreating is the most commonly used upgrading process for diesel fuel.
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Diesel fuel is standardised in many countries
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel designed for use in internal combustion engines, specifically diesel engines, where fuel ignition occurs without a spark due to the compression of inlet air and the injection of fuel. Diesel fuel is a distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but alternative sources such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel are becoming more common and widely adopted.
In the United States, diesel fuel is regulated by the American Society for Testing and Materials Standard D975-97, which outlines performance-based requirements. This standard identifies five grades of diesel fuel, with No. 1 and No. 2 diesel being the most popular commercially. In the UK, diesel is typically stored in black containers, and ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) is the most common type of diesel fuel.
The quality of diesel fuel is critical due to its widespread use in transportation and industry. Fuel cleanliness levels are measured and reported according to the ISO Cleanliness Code 4406:1999, which was established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to quantify particulate contamination levels. In addition to cleanliness, other important factors that impact diesel fuel quality include sulphur content, density, surface tension, viscosity, and calorific value.
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It has a higher melting point than gasoline
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel specifically designed for diesel engines. These engines are a type of internal combustion engine where fuel ignition occurs without a spark, as a result of inlet air compression and fuel injection.
Diesel is composed of longer-chain hydrocarbons with stronger intermolecular forces than gasoline. It typically contains 75% saturated hydrocarbons (mainly paraffins) and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons. The average chemical formula for common diesel fuel is C12H23, ranging from C10H20 to C15H28. Diesel has a higher number of carbon atoms compared to gasoline, which generally has between 4 and 12 carbon atoms. This results in diesel having a higher melting point than gasoline.
The longer hydrocarbon chains in diesel contribute to its higher melting point. In general, organic compounds with larger molecular masses tend to be solids, and diesel's longer hydrocarbon chains increase its molecular mass. This is in contrast to shorter-chain hydrocarbons, which are more likely to be liquids or gases.
The higher melting point of diesel can be observed in colder temperatures, where it can gel or even freeze completely. Diesel fuel typically freezes at temperatures below -8.1°C, while biodiesel freezes between 2°C and 15°C. On the other hand, gasoline is unlikely to freeze at temperatures that support human life.
The difference in melting points between diesel and gasoline is due to their distinct chemical compositions and intended engine applications. Gasoline engines require fuels that vaporize easily, while diesel engines use compression to ignite the fuel mixture. Therefore, the higher melting point of diesel fuel is a result of its specific design and functionality in diesel engines.
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Diesel fuel is less flammable than gasoline
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil or heavy oil, is a type of liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. These engines are internal combustion engines that use fuel ignition without a spark, relying instead on the compression of inlet air and the subsequent injection of fuel. Diesel fuel has good compression ignition characteristics and is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil. However, alternative diesel fuels that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are becoming more common.
Gasoline, on the other hand, is a transportation fuel derived from crude oil refining. It operates on a specific ratio of fuel to air, which can be affected by high altitudes, leading to reduced performance. Gasoline engines are less efficient than diesel engines, with only about 20% of the fuel contributing to moving the vehicle, while the rest is lost to friction, noise, engine functions, or heat in the exhaust.
One of the key differences between diesel and gasoline lies in their flammability. Diesel fuel has a higher flash point, typically ranging from 52°C to 96°C, making it less flammable than gasoline. Gasoline, also known as petrol, is highly volatile and flammable. Its vapours can easily ignite with a small spark, even without direct contact with the liquid surface. This volatility has led to concerns about the safety of gasoline, particularly in enclosed spaces such as boat docks.
In contrast, diesel fuel requires more intense pressure or a sustained flame to ignite. While diesel is still combustible and can be explosive under certain conditions, it is generally considered safer than gasoline. This characteristic makes diesel a preferred choice for applications where fuel safety is a priority, such as in wildland fire and prescribed fire operations, where a mix of diesel and gasoline is used in drip torches.
The difference in flammability between diesel and gasoline also has implications for their use in engines. Gasoline engines rely on spark-ignition, which is why the fuel's vapour flammability is a concern. Diesel engines, on the other hand, do not use spark-ignition, and the flash point of diesel fuel does not impact its performance in these engines. Instead, diesel engines utilise turbochargers to pump more air into the combustion chambers, allowing them to maintain better performance even at high altitudes.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel that is made from the byproduct of petroleum. It is specifically designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine.
Diesel fuel is a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil. It consists of hydrocarbons with carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C9–C20. Diesel fuel contains more carbon atoms than gasoline, which usually has the chemical formula C9H20 compared to diesel's C12H23.
The most common type of diesel fuel is derived from petroleum. However, there are alternative types of diesel fuel that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. There are also different numbered grades of diesel fuel, such as Diesel Fuel No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4.
Crude oil is heated to over 400°C in a distillation tower. As the liquid heats up, different chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms (hydrocarbons) separate. Diesel fuel emerges between temperatures of 200°C and 380°C and is collected on distillation plates before being siphoned off to a holding tank.
Diesel fuel has several advantages over gasoline. It is less flammable and less prone to stalling. Diesel engines are also more capable of producing higher torque numbers and are, on average, 20-30% more efficient than gasoline engines.
