Regan Brown
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a liquid fuel designed for 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, although non-petroleum-derived alternatives such as biodiesel are becoming more common. Diesel fuel is standardised in many countries, with different names and standards used in different regions. For example, in the European Union, the standard for diesel fuel is EN 590, while in Australia, diesel fuel is known as distillate. In recent years, there have been concerns over diesel engine reliability and the environmental impact of diesel exhaust, particularly in the United States, where diesel engines are less common. As of 2022, the United States is facing critically low diesel supplies, with shortages and price spikes expected in the coming months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Diesel Fuel |
| Other Names | Diesel Oil, Heavy Oil, DERV (UK), Distillate (Australia), Solar (Indonesia, Israel, and the Middle East), Gas Oil (gazole in French) |
| Origin | Experiments conducted by Rudolf Diesel for his compression-ignition engine in 1892 |
| Engine Prototype | Designed for liquid fuels |
| Engine Tests | Tested with coal tar creosote, paraffin oil, crude oil, gasoline, fuel oil, illuminating gas, shale oil, and peanut oil |
| Standard | EN 590 in the European Union |
| Common Type | Fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil |
| Alternative Types | Biodiesel, Biomass to Liquid (BTL), Gas to Liquid (GTL) |
| Use | Used in motor vehicles, heavy trucks, watercraft diesel engines, steam engines, and boilers |
| U.S. Inventory (as of July 2022) | 113 million barrels, the lowest since 1996 |
| U.S. Consumption (as of July 2022) | Inventories met only 30 days of demand, the lowest seasonal level since 1945 |
| U.S. Shortage | Likely to occur in the next six months unless the economy and fuel consumption slow |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is liquid fuel for diesel engines
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for diesel engines. It is a type of internal combustion engine where fuel ignition occurs without a spark due to the compression of inlet air and subsequent fuel injection. Rudolf Diesel's experiments with his compression-ignition engine in the 1890s led to the creation of diesel fuel. Initially, he believed that his engine's operating principle would work with any fuel or state of matter. However, the first diesel engine prototype and the first functional diesel engine were designed exclusively for liquid fuels.
Diesel fuel is typically a fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, although non-petroleum alternatives like biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel are becoming more popular. Petroleum-derived diesel is sometimes called petrodiesel. Diesel fuel is a significant product of oil refineries, and it is standardized in many countries. For example, the European Union's standard for diesel fuel is EN 590.
Before diesel fuel was standardized, diesel engines often ran on inexpensive fuel oils, which are still used in watercraft diesel engines. Diesel fuel is commonly used in motor vehicles such as cars and lorries, but not all diesel engines use it. For instance, large two-stroke watercraft engines typically use heavy fuel oils, and MAN M-System engines are designed to run on petrol. Diesel fuel is also used in gas turbines and some other internal and external combustion engines.
The viscosity of diesel fuel is usually specified at 40°C, and it has a higher boiling range than gasoline, typically between 160°C and 371°C. Diesel fuel has more non-volatile components than gasoline and must be sprayed rather than evaporated to prevent pre-ignition. It also contains sulphur and nitrogen compounds that provide natural lubrication to protect vehicle fuel pumps and injectors. However, the process of desulphurisation removes these lubricating components.
Diesel fuel releases more energy during combustion than equivalent volumes of gasoline, resulting in better fuel economy in diesel engines. Additionally, diesel fuel production requires fewer refining steps than gasoline, traditionally resulting in lower retail prices. However, diesel fuel produces higher levels of certain air pollutants, such as sulfur and solid carbon particulates. Regulations have been implemented to reduce sulfur content in diesel fuel, such as the "ultra-low sulfur" (ULSD) grade mandated in the United States and the "zero-sulfur" or "sulfur-free" diesel in the European Union.
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Diesel engines were invented by Rudolf Diesel in 1892
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for diesel engines. These engines are a type of internal combustion engine where ignition occurs due to air compression and fuel injection, without requiring an external source of ignition. Diesel fuel, most commonly derived as a distillate of petroleum fuel oil, has many colloquial names and variations, including biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel.
The history of diesel fuel is closely tied to the invention of the diesel engine by Rudolf Diesel in 1892. Diesel, a German thermal engineer born in Paris in 1858, moved to Berlin in 1890 and began working on his idea for an efficient internal combustion engine. By 1892, he had completed his design and received a German patent for it the following year. Diesel's engine offered greater fuel efficiency and a simpler design compared to existing steam engines, making it a commercial success and bringing significant wealth to its inventor.
The diesel engine's impact was particularly felt during the Industrial Revolution, where it provided a more efficient and cost-effective power source for various industries. Notably, train transport and shipping companies benefited from its use, as it eliminated the need for burning coal. This advantage, however, posed a threat to the coal industry, which stood to lose a significant portion of its business.
Over time, the increasing popularity of motor vehicles in the 1930s led to the development of higher-quality diesel fuels with improved ignition characteristics. After World War II, the first modern high-quality diesel fuels were standardised, with standards such as DIN 51601, VTL 9140-001, and NATO F 54. Today, diesel fuel standards continue to evolve, with ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) being widely adopted in regions like the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, and North America.
The life and death of Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, remain intriguing aspects of the diesel fuel story. Diesel disappeared from a steamer en route to London in 1913, and his body was later recovered. The circumstances of his death are still a mystery, with theories ranging from suicide to murder, possibly due to his refusal to grant German forces exclusive rights to his invention.
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Diesel fuel is derived from petroleum or alternative sources
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or DERV (an acronym for diesel-engine road vehicle), is a liquid fuel used in diesel engines, a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel engines are unique in that fuel ignition occurs without a spark, as a result of the compression of inlet air and the subsequent injection of fuel.
The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, which is a high-volume product of oil refineries. In the United States, petroleum-derived diesel is composed of about 75% saturated hydrocarbons (primarily paraffins) and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons. Before diesel fuel was standardized, diesel engines typically ran on cheap fuel oils, which were distilled from petroleum in the United States and from coal-tar creosote oil in Europe.
However, alternatives to petroleum-derived diesel, also known as petrodiesel, are increasingly being developed and adopted. These alternatives include biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL) diesel, and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. Biodiesel, a biofuel, can be made from oily plants such as soybeans or oil palms, as well as from vegetable oils and animal fats. Biomass can also be gasified to produce biosyngas, which can be converted into liquid fuels. Synthetic diesel, or Fischer-Tropsch diesel, can be produced from natural gas, synthesis gas derived from coal, or biogas obtained from biomass. These alternative diesel fuels can be blended with traditional diesel fuel or used alone in diesel engines, and they often offer the advantage of reduced emissions and lower sulfur content.
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Diesel fuel has different names in different countries
Diesel fuel, also called diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines. While diesel fuel is standardised in many countries, it goes by different names in different parts of the world.
In the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands, diesel fuel is often referred to as red diesel or gas oil. It is used in agricultural vehicles, home heating tanks, and marine craft. In the UK, diesel fuel for road use is sometimes called white diesel to differentiate it from the reduced-tax agricultural product. The term "diesel-engined road vehicle" (DERV) is used in the UK as a synonym for unmarked road diesel fuel.
In the Republic of Ireland and Norway, diesel fuel or marked gas oil is dyed green. In Australia, diesel fuel is known as distillate, while in Indonesia, Israel, and most of the Middle East, it is called Solar, a trademarked name from Indonesia's national petroleum company, Pertamina.
In some European countries, diesel fuel may be referred to as bleifrei, essence, gasoleo, or bensin. Switzerland, with its tri-lingual culture, showcases this diversity with three interchangeable terms for diesel fuel: bleifrei, essence sans plomb, and benzina sensa piomba.
The variety of names for diesel fuel can be attributed to historical factors, regional variations, and marketing choices by oil companies.
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Diesel engines are less common in the US
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is any liquid fuel designed for diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel engines were invented by German scientist Rudolf Diesel around 1892 and were initially designed for liquid fuels. Diesel engines differ from gasoline engines in that fuel ignition occurs without a spark, instead relying on the compression of inlet air and the subsequent injection of fuel.
While diesel engines and fuel are prevalent in Europe and other parts of the world, they are less common in the United States. Several factors contribute to this disparity:
Historical Context and Perception: In Europe, diesel fuel had been used in cars for a couple of decades before it became uncommon in the US. Diesel engines and fuel were associated with farm appliances, long-haul trucks, and unpleasant running sounds, which may have influenced their perception and adoption among American consumers.
Reliability and Performance: Early diesel engines in the US were unreliable and underpowered. This was partly due to their design, as they were based on gasoline engines and struggled to deliver sufficient strength. The engines were intended to be mixed-fuel, allowing for the use of diesel or gas, but this idea was scrapped early on as it proved impractical.
Fuel Quality and Standards: Historically, diesel fuel quality in the US was lower than in Europe. Standardization of diesel fuel occurred after World War II, with the implementation of standards like DIN 51601, VTL 9140-001, and NATO F 54. The US has also implemented emission regulations for diesel engines, which affect their performance and market appeal.
Cost and Consumption: Diesel fuel costs more in the US, impacting its adoption among consumers. The higher cost, coupled with the time it takes to recoup extra expenses, makes diesel engines less financially attractive to American car buyers, especially when compared to competing engine options with similar or better performance.
Regulatory and Certification Processes: The process of certifying diesel engines in the US can take years, and not all powertrain configurations are compatible with the American market. This lengthier certification process may contribute to the lower prevalence of diesel engines in the country.
It's worth noting that while diesel engines are less common in the US, there have been indications of critically low diesel supplies and potential shortages in the country. Stabilizing and rebuilding inventories will likely require a slowdown in freight movements and manufacturing activity, as distillate fuel oil is heavily used in these sectors.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel, also called diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine. The most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but biodiesel and other alternatives are increasingly being developed and adopted.
As of 2022, the United States is facing critically low diesel supplies, with shortages and price spikes expected to occur unless the economy and fuel consumption slow.
Alternatives to diesel fuel that are not derived from petroleum include biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL) diesel, and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel.
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