Regan Brown
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 derived from the fractional distillation of crude oil, and consists mainly of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. In the United States, diesel fuel is composed of about 75% saturated hydrocarbons and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons. The production process for diesel fuel involves distillation, conversion steps, and clean-up, and the final product is mixed with several additives to adjust performance characteristics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common term | Distillate fuel oil |
| Type of engine | Compression ignition engine |
| Inventor | Rudolf Diesel |
| Year of invention | 1892 |
| Composition | Mixture of hydrocarbons |
| Source | Crude oil, biomass materials |
| Refining process | Distillation, conversion, clean-up |
| Additives | Yes |
| Viscosity | Depends on temperature |
| Sulphur content | Ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) |
| Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) | Up to 7% in Europe |
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What You'll Learn
Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil and biomass materials
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel used in diesel engines, which are internal combustion engines that ignite without a spark. Instead, compression of inlet air and the subsequent injection of fuel are required for ignition. Diesel fuel is most commonly derived from petroleum fuel oil, which is a fractional distillate of crude oil.
The process of refining crude oil involves heating the viscous liquid to over 400 degrees Celsius, turning it into vapour. This vapour then enters a fractional distillation tower, where it cools and the hydrocarbon chains within it return to a liquid state. As the vapour rises in the tower, shorter hydrocarbon chains begin to liquefy, and various distillates emerge as the vapour cools further. Diesel fuel is created by recombining these shorter hydrocarbon chain distillates in specific proportions.
However, diesel fuel can also be derived from biomass materials. Ethanol, for example, is a renewable fuel that can be made from plant materials, such as plant starches and sugars, through a process called fermentation. Microorganisms like bacteria and yeast metabolize plant sugars and produce ethanol. Biodiesel is another example of a diesel fuel derived from biomass. It is produced from renewable sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease by combining them with alcohol.
The use of biomass-based diesel fuels is increasing due to the need for renewable alternatives to internal combustion engine fuels. These biofuels are compatible with existing automotive powertrain systems and infrastructure, including engines, pumps, and pipelines. However, one challenge is the relatively high production cost of renewable fuels, which depends on the cost of raw materials and processing technologies.
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It is a mixture of hydrocarbons
Diesel fuel is a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by fractional distillation of crude oil. In the United States, petroleum-derived diesel is composed of about 75% saturated hydrocarbons (mainly paraffins) and 25% aromatic hydrocarbons. The production process involves separating crude oil into streams of increasingly higher boiling points, called straight-run products, through primary distillation under atmospheric pressure. The material that doesn't vaporize is then removed from the bottom of the column.
To increase the yield of desired products, refineries employ various processes like thermal cracking, catalytic cracking, and hydrocracking to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones. These processes involve the application of heat, pressure, or catalysts. The final products are obtained by blending conversion products with the primary distillation streams.
Diesel fuel specifications differ across various fuel grades and countries. Important characteristics used to classify diesel fuel include cetane number, fuel volatility, density, viscosity, low-temperature operability, and sulfur content.
Diesel fuel is commonly used in motor vehicles with compression ignition engines, named after their inventor, Rudolf Diesel. It is also used in diesel-engine generators to provide electricity in remote areas, as well as for backup and emergency power in various facilities.
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It is less flammable and explosive than other fuels
Diesel fuel is a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by the distillation of crude oil. It is specifically designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. In these engines, fuel ignition occurs as a result of the compression of inlet air and the subsequent injection of fuel—rather than through a spark.
While diesel fuel is combustible and can explode under certain conditions, it is less flammable and explosive than other fuels, such as gasoline. Gasoline, for example, has a much lower flash point—the temperature at which a volatile substance evaporates to form an ignitable mixture with air—of -49°F (-45°C). Diesel fuel, on the other hand, has a flash point of around 125°F (52°C). This means that gasoline is constantly emitting vapours ready to ignite, whereas diesel fuel does not.
The higher flash point of diesel fuel makes it less volatile and therefore less flammable. It is harder to accidentally ignite diesel fuel compared to gasoline, which can ignite with a small spark. As such, diesel fuel is considered a grade 4 flammable substance, with a flash point above 60°C and below its boiling point.
The difference in flammability and explosiveness between diesel and gasoline can be observed in their use. Gasoline is commonly used in vehicles, whereas diesel fuel is often used in diesel-engine generators to generate electricity in remote locations. Additionally, in wildland fire and prescribed fire, a mix of diesel and gasoline is used in drip torches. However, if the ratio is altered to have more gasoline, things can quickly go wrong.
In summary, diesel fuel is less flammable and explosive than other fuels due to its higher flash point, which makes it less volatile and harder to ignite accidentally. However, it is important to note that diesel fuel still poses risks and must be stored, handled, and used in a safe and compliant manner to prevent accidents.
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It produces harmful emissions when burned
Diesel fuel is a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of crude oil. It is specifically designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. During combustion, a number of harmful products are generated. The most significant of these are CO, HC, NOx, and PM.
CO, or carbon monoxide, is produced by incomplete combustion when the oxidation process does not occur. It is an odourless and colourless gas that is harmful to humans. When inhaled, CO binds to haemoglobin in the blood and inhibits its capacity to transfer oxygen. This can lead to asphyxiation and affect the function of different organs, resulting in impaired concentration, slow reflexes, and confusion.
HC, or hydrocarbon emissions, are composed of unburned fuels due to insufficient temperatures near the cylinder wall. NOx emissions, which consist mostly of nitrogen oxides, are the highest proportion of diesel pollutant emissions, at over 50%. These emissions contribute to the production of ground-level ozone, which is harmful to vegetation, and acid rain, which affects soil, water sources, and the human food chain.
PM, or diesel particulate matter, refers to the solid particles emitted from diesel engines. These particles can be removed from the exhaust gas through physical filtration using diesel particulate filters (DPFs).
To reduce harmful emissions, ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel is used in many countries. Sulfur in diesel fuel produces air pollution emissions that are harmful, and ULSD fuel can reduce vehicle particulate emissions by up to 90%. However, even with ULSD, diesel fuel use still contributes to air pollution.
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It is used in engines, generators, and drilling fluid
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Diesel engines are used in trucks, trains, boats, barges, buses, farm equipment, construction equipment, military vehicles, large industrial buildings, hospitals, and electric utilities.
Diesel fuel is also used in diesel engine generators to generate electricity. Diesel generators are used as a backup and emergency power supply in many large buildings, industrial facilities, institutional facilities, hospitals, and electric utilities. Remote villages in Alaska use diesel generators as their primary source of electricity.
Diesel fuel is also used as the main ingredient in oil-based mud drilling fluid. Drilling fluids, also known as drilling mud, are used to aid the drilling of boreholes into the earth. Diesel-oil mud is typically mixed with up to 40% brine water and has the advantage of being low-cost and able to drill through a variety of difficult strata, including shale, salt, and gypsum formations. However, due to health, safety, and environmental concerns, diesel-oil mud is often replaced with vegetable, mineral, or synthetic food-grade oil-based drilling fluids.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by distillation of crude oil. It is specifically designed for use in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine.
Diesel fuel is refined from crude oil and biomass materials. The production process involves distillation, conversion steps, and clean-up. The final product is a mixture of hydrocarbons with a high boiling range.
Diesel fuel is commonly used in motor vehicles with diesel engines, such as trucks, buses, and cars. It is also used in diesel-engine generators to provide electricity in remote areas. Additionally, diesel fuel is used in drilling fluid due to its low cost and ability to drill through various strata.
