Mercedes Mullins
Diesel engines are used in trucks, trains, boats, barges, and military vehicles. They are also used in farming and construction equipment. Diesel fuel is specifically designed for diesel engines, but it can also be used in several non-diesel engines. The type of fuel used in a diesel engine depends on the vehicle's size and the climate it is operating in. For example, in colder climates, diesel fuel tends to gel up and cannot flow in fuel systems, so special low-temperature diesel is used to keep it liquid. Smaller vehicles with diesel engines, like trucks, use diesel fuel, which is less flammable than gasoline and has a low viscosity. On the other hand, larger engines, like marine engines, use fuel oil, which has a much higher viscosity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Diesel, biodiesel, renewable diesel, fuel oil, petrol, kerosene, rapeseed oil, lubricating oil, cooking oil, vegetable oil, animal fats |
| Viscosity | Low viscosity liquid |
| Flammability | Less flammable than gasoline |
| Performance | High-performance, high-speed |
| Efficiency | High fuel economy, high efficiency |
| Ignition | Ignition characteristics, cetane number, delay of ignition |
| Safety | Less likely to stall, less explosive, less flammable, safer for transportation of goods |
| Environment | Cleaner-burning diesel, reduced dependence on overseas petroleum, improved air quality |
| Cost | Lower cost per ton per mile, higher price for smaller engines |
| Climate | Requires additives to keep it liquid at lower temperatures, special low-temperature diesel available |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel types: Diesel #1, Diesel #2, and biodiesel
Diesel fuel is commonly used in trucks, trains, boats, barges, and buses. It is also used in most farm and construction equipment in the United States. Diesel fuel offers a wide range of performance, efficiency, and safety features.
There are different types of diesel fuel: Diesel #1, Diesel #2, and biodiesel. Diesel #1 and Diesel #2 differ mainly in their viscosity and burn rate. Diesel #1 is thinner and burns hotter and faster than Diesel #2, making it a better option for colder temperatures. However, Diesel #1 may not be readily available at all fuel pumps, and Diesel #2 is considered more efficient as it burns slower, resulting in less frequent refuelling. Diesel #2 is, therefore, a preferred choice for long-haul truck drivers and those living in warmer climates.
Biodiesel, on the other hand, is a renewable alternative to traditional diesel fuel. It is produced from vegetable oils or other organic materials and can be blended with petrodiesel. Biodiesel blends, such as B20, contain a lower percentage of biodiesel, while pure biodiesel is represented as B100. While biodiesel can potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, there are concerns about its impact on land use, deforestation, and the food vs. fuel debate. Nevertheless, biodiesel remains an important part of the global strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
The choice between Diesel #1 and Diesel #2 depends on the vehicle's specific requirements, the external temperature, and fuel efficiency considerations. It is important to ensure the correct type of diesel fuel is used to avoid any potential damage to the vehicle's engine.
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Cold climates: Diesel #1 is more efficient in colder temperatures
Diesel fuel is widely used in trucks, tractors, and buses due to its ignition characteristics. However, a disadvantage of diesel fuel in cold climates is that its viscosity increases as the temperature decreases, turning it into a gel that cannot flow in fuel systems. This issue of viscosity is more pronounced in diesel #2, which thickens and clogs filters and fuel lines in colder temperatures.
Diesel #1, on the other hand, is specifically designed for colder climates due to its lower viscosity, allowing it to flow more smoothly through engines even in low-temperature conditions. This makes it a preferred choice for those facing harsh winters, as it ensures that their vehicles start easily and run efficiently. The use of additives in diesel #1 also prevents the fuel from gelling or freezing, further enhancing its performance in cold weather.
The impact of cold weather on fuel economy is significant. Engines take longer to reach their most fuel-efficient temperature, and shorter trips are affected more because the vehicle spends a larger portion of the journey at suboptimal temperatures. Additionally, features like heated seats, window defrosters, and heater fans contribute to reduced fuel economy. Colder temperatures also increase aerodynamic drag on vehicles, especially at highway speeds, and decrease tire pressure, resulting in increased rolling resistance.
To mitigate the effects of cold weather on fuel efficiency, it is recommended to park in a warmer place, combine trips to reduce driving with a cold engine, and minimize idling. Using the type of oil recommended for cold-weather driving and removing accessories that increase wind resistance can also help improve fuel efficiency in colder climates.
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Viscosity: Diesel is less viscous than fuel oil
Diesel fuel is marked by a higher viscosity compared to gasoline. However, diesel has a lower viscosity than fuel oil. This property of diesel is integral to the seamless functioning of diesel engines, providing essential lubrication to fuel pump and injector components.
Viscosity is a fluid’s resistance to flow, or its resistance to changing shape when external forces act upon it. The opposite of viscosity is fluidity, which refers to a fluid’s ability to flow smoothly. For example, highly viscous fluids, such as honey, resist flow more than low-viscosity fluids, such as water.
In the context of diesel engines, viscosity determines how smoothly the fuel can move through various engine parts such as fuel lines, injectors, and pumps. If the fuel is too viscous, it can lead to damage in the fuel pump, while fuel with too low viscosity may result in inadequate lubrication. The viscosity of diesel fuel is influenced by factors like temperature, chemical composition, and the presence of additives. For instance, biodiesel tends to have a higher viscosity than traditional diesel fuel due to its composition of vegetable oils and animal fats.
The viscosity requirement of diesel fuel is usually specified at 40 °C. Diesel fuel's viscosity increases as the temperature decreases, which can be a disadvantage in cold climates. Special low-temperature diesel contains additives to keep it liquid at lower temperatures.
The viscosity of the oil used in diesel engines is also important. Newer engines typically require lower viscosity oils, and using the correct viscosity can improve fuel efficiency, reduce engine wear, enhance performance, and extend engine life. The ideal viscosity depends on the machinery and the temperature ranges it will experience. For example, engines with above-average clearances require thicker oil, while engines with tighter clearances need thinner oil to reduce friction and improve performance.
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Historical fuels: Coal-tar creosote oil, petrol, kerosene, and rapeseed oil
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is any liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine. While diesel fuel is typically derived from petroleum, alternative fuels that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, are becoming more common.
Historically, diesel engines have been fuelled by a range of alternative fuels, including coal-tar creosote oil, petrol, kerosene, and rapeseed oil. Here is some information about these historical fuels:
Coal-tar creosote oil
Coal-tar creosote is a fuel oil that contains distillation residuum, a byproduct of distillation. Medium and low-temperature coal tar are primarily used in the fuel industry. Coal tar is also used in the manufacturing of creosote, a wood preservative feedstock.
Petrol
Petrol, or gasoline, is a common fuel for internal combustion engines. While most diesel engines run on diesel fuel, certain types, such as MAN M-System engines, are designed to run on petrol.
Kerosene
Kerosene is also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, while regular diesel is #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene has a lower viscosity and energy content than regular diesel, and it burns drier, with less lubricity. Kerosene is useful for improving the cold-weather performance of diesel fuel.
Rapeseed oil
Rapeseed oil can be used as a fuel for diesel engines, particularly in areas where rapeseed is a major crop, such as China. When used as a substitute for conventional diesel, it is typically blended with diesel oil to reduce its viscosity and improve combustion efficiency. A mixture of 30% rapeseed oil and 70% diesel oil can provide high thermal efficiency and homogeneity.
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Modern alternatives: Biodiesel and renewable diesel
The use of biodiesel and renewable diesel as alternatives to diesel fuel is increasing. Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, originally designed his engine to run on coal dust and experimented with vegetable oil before the petroleum industry began making petroleum diesel fuel.
Biodiesel and renewable diesel are both biomass-based diesel fuels that can be produced using the same feedstock, but they are distinct types of fuel with significant differences. Biodiesel, often referred to as FAME biodiesel or simply FAME, is produced by a process known as transesterification, which converts organic fats and oils into fatty acid alkyl esters. Vegetable oils, animal fats, and recycled grease are used as feedstocks for biodiesel production. Biodiesel has desirable lubricity characteristics and can help prevent premature engine wear. However, biodiesel has a lower cloud point compared to petroleum diesel, and it may solidify completely at lower temperatures, a condition known as "gelling". To address this, biodiesel is typically blended with petroleum diesel for final consumption, with common blends including B5 (up to 5% biodiesel) and B20 (6-20% biodiesel).
Renewable diesel, on the other hand, is a hydrocarbon that is chemically equivalent to petroleum diesel. It is produced using a hydrogenation process, which makes it a drop-in fuel that can be seamlessly blended, transported, and co-processed with petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel is of higher quality than biodiesel and burns very cleanly, making it an excellent option for cold climates as it doesn't wax up and provides better mileage. It is also more efficient and has lower emissions, making it a better choice for heavy-duty machinery in industrial settings. However, renewable diesel is more expensive than biodiesel and petroleum diesel, and its sourcing from palm oil can lead to deforestation.
Both biodiesel and renewable diesel meet the top-quality fuel requirements for commercial fleets, trucks, and emergency vehicles. The choice between the two depends on various factors such as vehicle type, location, environmental goals, and cost-effectiveness.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel trucks typically run on diesel fuel, which is rated by its cetane level.
Diesel fuel is a type of fuel that is specifically designed for diesel engines. It is usually refined from crude oil or, increasingly, made from biodiesel and renewable sources.
Biodiesel is a type of diesel fuel that is made from agricultural materials such as vegetable oils and animal fats.
Diesel engines can run on a wide variety of fuels, including fuel oils, petrol, kerosene, rapeseed oil, lubricating oil, and even cooking oil.
In cold temperatures, diesel fuel can become gel-like and unable to flow in fuel systems. Diesel #1 (or winter diesel) is more suitable for cold temperatures as it has a lower viscosity and is not prone to freezing.
