Regan Brown
Throughput is a term used to describe the amount of petroleum product that moves through a facility in a given period. For example, a station with a monthly gasoline throughput of 150,000 gallons dispenses 150,000 gallons of gasoline in a typical month. Throughput is a term often used in regulations related to petroleum marketing facilities. Gasoline, also known as gas or petrol, and diesel fuel are both extracted from the same raw material, crude oil, but serve different functions. Diesel is denser and more energy-efficient than gasoline, with lower CO2 emissions, but it contains more pollutants.
Throughput of gasoline and diesel fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The amount of petroleum product that moves through a particular facility during a given period of time |
| Example | If a station has a monthly gasoline throughput of 150,000 gallons, it dispenses around 150,000 gallons of gasoline in a typical month |
| Application | The term often appears in regulations related to petroleum marketing facilities |
| Comparison | Diesel fuel is denser than gasoline and contains about 15% more energy by volume (roughly 36.9 MJ/litre compared to 33.7 MJ/litre) |
| Emissions | Diesel contains more pollutants that must be extracted before reaching the same emissions levels as gasoline. The CO2 emissions from diesel are 73.25 g/MJ, slightly lower than gasoline at 73.38 g/MJ |
| Efficiency | Diesel engines are about 20% more efficient than petrol engines, and diesel fuel is generally simpler to refine from petroleum than gasoline |
| Pricing | In the US, UK, and Australia, diesel fuel may be priced higher than petrol per gallon or litre due to refinery shutdowns, increased gasoline production, and the transition to ultra-low-sulfur diesel |
| Storage | In the US, diesel is stored in yellow containers, kerosene in blue, and gasoline in red |
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What You'll Learn
- Throughput: the amount of fuel dispensed by a station in a given period
- Diesel fuel: designed for diesel engines, higher energy density
- Gasoline: also known as gas or petrol, more volatile than diesel
- Diesel vs gasoline: diesel is denser, but gasoline has higher CO2 emissions
- Fuel prices: diesel may be priced higher due to production costs and demand
Throughput: the amount of fuel dispensed by a station in a given period
Throughput is a term used in the context of petroleum marketing facilities and refers specifically to the amount of fuel dispensed by a station in a given period. For example, if a station has a monthly gasoline throughput of 150,000 gallons, it means that in a typical month, the station dispenses around 150,000 gallons of gasoline. This term is often used in regulations related to these facilities. For instance, a regulation requiring the installation of Stage II vapor recovery equipment may only apply to stations with a monthly throughput exceeding 10,000 gallons.
Throughput is an important metric for understanding the volume of fuel sales and can be used to determine the applicability of certain regulations and requirements. It is a key indicator of the performance and activity of a fuel station, providing insights into the demand for gasoline or diesel fuel in a given area.
The concept of throughput highlights the volume of fuel sold, which is distinct from the revenue generated. It is a measure of the quantity dispensed, regardless of the price or profit associated with the sale. This distinction is important as it focuses solely on the amount of fuel distributed to customers.
When considering throughput, it is worth noting that gasoline and diesel fuels have different characteristics and serve different purposes. Gasoline engines offer greater horsepower, while diesel engines excel at delivering better torque. Additionally, diesel engines are commonly used in heavy machinery and have a longer shelf life than gasoline. Understanding the unique attributes of each fuel type can provide context for the throughput figures of stations that offer both gasoline and diesel.
In summary, throughput in the context of gasoline and diesel fuel refers to the quantity dispensed by a station within a specified time frame. This metric is valuable for regulatory purposes and understanding the performance of fuel stations. By examining throughput, we can gain insights into the demand for these fuels and make informed assessments of the volume of sales, independent of revenue considerations.
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Diesel fuel: designed for diesel engines, higher energy density
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil or heavy oil, is any liquid fuel specifically designed for diesel engines. Diesel engines are a type of internal combustion engine in which fuel ignition occurs without a spark, as a result of the compression of inlet air and the subsequent injection of fuel. Therefore, diesel fuel requires good compression ignition characteristics.
Diesel has a higher density than gasoline, which makes it more energy-intensive. Per litre, diesel contains more energy than petrol, and the vehicle's engine combustion process is more efficient. This results in higher fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions when using diesel. By virtue of the combustion process and the overall engine concept, a diesel engine can be up to 40% more efficient than a spark-ignited petrol engine with the same power output.
The calorific value of diesel fuel is approximately 45.5 MJ/kg (megajoules per kilogram), slightly lower than petrol, which is 45.8 MJ/kg. However, due to its higher density, diesel fuel has a higher volumetric energy density. The density of EN 590 diesel fuel is defined as 0.820 to 0.845 kg/L at 15 °C, about 9.0-13.9% more than EN 228 gasoline. This means that less diesel is required to produce the same energy output as gasoline.
Diesel fuel is widely used in various sectors, including transportation, construction, farming, and military applications. It offers a range of performance, efficiency, and safety features, making it a popular choice for diesel engine vehicles, generators, and backup power supply systems.
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Gasoline: also known as gas or petrol, more volatile than diesel
Throughput is the amount of petroleum product that moves through a particular facility during a given period. For instance, a station with a monthly gasoline throughput of 150,000 gallons dispenses around 150,000 gallons of gasoline in a typical month.
Gasoline, also known as gas or petrol, is a mixture of flammable hydrocarbons refined from petroleum. It is made through the process of fractional distillation, which involves breaking down crude petroleum into volatile and valuable fractions. Gasoline is more volatile than diesel, making it harder to handle and store due to the increased risk of vehicle fires. This volatility is influenced not only by the base constituents but also by the additives put into the fuel.
The higher volatility of gasoline also contributes to its lower fuel efficiency compared to diesel. Gas engines require a low compression ratio to avoid self-ignition, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency. In contrast, diesel engines have a higher compression ratio, enabling them to be more fuel-efficient. Diesel contains about 15% more energy by volume than gasoline, with diesel containing about 36.9 megajoules per litre compared to 33.7 megajoules per litre in gasoline.
Despite the higher energy density of diesel, gasoline engines offer certain advantages. They accelerate more easily and are faster and more responsive than diesel engines. Gasoline engines also operate more quietly and produce lower levels of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions compared to diesel engines.
The choice between gasoline and diesel depends on specific needs and applications. Gasoline is preferred in industries such as food manufacturing, municipalities, schools, retail, and commercial real estate, while diesel is commonly used in construction, agriculture, and other industries requiring heavy machinery.
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Diesel vs gasoline: diesel is denser, but gasoline has higher CO2 emissions
Throughput is a term used in the context of petroleum marketing facilities to describe the amount of petroleum product dispensed or moving through a facility during a given period. For instance, a station with a monthly gasoline throughput of 150,000 gallons dispenses around 150,000 gallons of gasoline in a typical month.
Now, onto the comparison of diesel and gasoline:
Diesel and gasoline (also known as petrol) are extracted from the same raw material, crude oil, but they undergo different refinement processes and have distinct characteristics. Diesel has a higher density than gasoline, but gasoline has higher CO2 emissions per litre. Diesel contains approximately 15% more energy by volume than gasoline, with diesel fuel's calorific value at 45.5 MJ/kg, slightly lower than gasoline's 45.8 MJ/kg. However, due to diesel's higher density, less fuel is required to produce the same energy output. This results in diesel engines being more fuel-efficient and having lower CO2 emissions than gasoline engines.
The combustion process in diesel engines occurs through high temperatures generated in the compression stroke, while gasoline engines rely on a spark for ignition. Diesel engines have higher compression ratios, faster combustion, and lower throttling losses, contributing to their greater thermodynamic efficiency. This efficiency leads to lower fuel consumption and, consequently, lower CO2 emissions.
The transition to diesel-powered vehicles is considered a strategy towards more sustainable transportation. According to studies, diesel vehicles have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 24-33% compared to their gasoline counterparts. However, it's important to note that diesel contains more pollutants that must be extracted to achieve similar emission levels as petrol.
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Fuel prices: diesel may be priced higher due to production costs and demand
Throughput is a term used in the context of petroleum marketing facilities to describe the amount of petroleum product that moves through a facility in a given period. For instance, a gasoline throughput of 150,000 gallons in a month means that the station dispenses 150,000 gallons of gasoline during that month.
Now, onto the topic of fuel prices and why diesel may be priced higher. Diesel fuel prices are influenced by various factors, including production costs and demand. Firstly, diesel fuel is a major transportation fuel, and its demand often follows economic trends. The international demand for distillate fuel can impact diesel fuel prices, particularly in countries where diesel-engine cars are prevalent. Additionally, diesel fuel is used for electricity generation in several countries, influencing its demand and pricing.
Seasonal variations in demand for heating oil can also affect diesel fuel prices. Since heating oil and diesel fuel are essentially the same and are produced simultaneously, increased demand for heating oil during colder months can drive up diesel fuel prices. This dynamic is evident in the historical pattern of diesel fuel prices, which tend to surpass gasoline prices during cold winters.
Another factor contributing to higher diesel prices is the cost of transportation. Regions farther from the primary source of diesel fuel production, such as the Gulf Coast in the United States, tend to experience higher diesel fuel prices due to increased transportation costs. Additionally, areas with a higher concentration of commercial vehicles, such as high-volume truck stops, often offer diesel fuel at lower prices compared to smaller-volume service stations.
The isolation of certain regions, such as the West Coast liquid fuels market in the United States, can also impact diesel fuel prices. In such cases, refinery outages may occur, making it costly to transport supplies from outside the region. Taxes also play a significant role, with states trying to recoup road maintenance expenses through taxes on diesel fuel due to the heavy truck transport sector's reliance on diesel power.
Furthermore, supply issues and tax structures, particularly in the United States, have contributed to the cancellation of small diesel engine offerings, affecting the market dynamics and pricing of diesel fuel. In contrast, European countries have traditionally kept diesel costs lower to support the transport industry, shifting the tax burden towards gasoline consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
Throughput is the amount of petroleum product that moves through a facility during a given period of time. For example, if a station has a monthly gasoline throughput of 150,000 gallons, it means that in a typical month, the station dispenses around 150,000 gallons of gasoline.
Gasoline, also known as gas or petrol, is a fuel extracted from crude oil through various levels of refinement. It has a higher calorific value than diesel, at 45.8 MJ/kg, and a lower energy density, at 33.7 MJ/L.
Diesel fuel, also called diesel oil, is a liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine, where fuel ignition occurs due to the compression of inlet air and fuel injection. Diesel is denser than gasoline, with a calorific value of 45.5 MJ/kg and an energy density of 36.9 MJ/L.
Gasoline and diesel have different characteristics and serve distinct purposes. Diesel has a higher energy density and is more energy-efficient, resulting in lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to gasoline. Diesel is generally easier to refine, but additional steps are needed to remove sulfur, which can increase costs.
