Sylvie Willis
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is used in a wide range of applications, from vehicles to electricity generation. It is specifically designed for diesel engines, which were invented by Rudolf Diesel around 1892. Diesel engines are a type of internal combustion engine that uses compression to ignite the fuel without a spark. While diesel fuel is commonly associated with trucks, tractors, trains, and boats, it also powers generators in various settings, from remote villages to hospitals and institutional facilities. In the United States, the transportation sector consumes significant amounts of diesel fuel, with trucks, trains, and construction vehicles relying on its performance, efficiency, and safety features.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common uses | Motor vehicles, freight and delivery trucks, trains, boats, barges, submarines, buses, farm equipment, construction equipment, military vehicles, cars, light trucks, generators, industrial facilities, large buildings, institutional facilities, hospitals, electric utilities |
| Origin | Experiments by German scientist and inventor Rudolf Diesel for his compression-ignition engine |
| Year of invention | Around 1892 |
| First prototype fuel | Illuminating gas |
| Other fuels tested | Crude oil, petrol, kerosene, lamp oil, ligroin, coal tar creosote, paraffin oil, gasoline, fuel oil, peanut oil, shale oil, biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel, vegetable seed oil, coal dust |
| Sulphur content regulation | In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued requirements to reduce sulphur content; ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) has 15 parts per million or less |
| Colloquial names | DERV, white diesel, gas oil, heavy oil |
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What You'll Learn
Military vehicles and equipment
In 1988, the US military adopted a policy of a single fuel source for all ground-based vehicles. This decision has been emulated by other countries in NATO, with diesel fuel becoming the most common source of power for land-based NATO vehicles. The advantages of a single fuel standard are significant, including simplified logistics of fuel availability and a reduced risk of misfuelling.
Diesel fuel is used by the US military in tanks and trucks as it is less flammable and less explosive than other fuels. Diesel engines are also less likely to stall than gasoline-fuelled engines. The Oshkosh M1070, for example, is powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V-92TA 12.06-liter diesel engine and is used to transport heavy armoured vehicles such as tanks. The Cougar HE 6X6 is another example of a military rig that is powered by diesel fuel.
In addition to vehicles, diesel fuel is also used in diesel engine generators to provide electricity for military bases and other facilities. This is particularly important in remote locations, such as villages in Alaska, where diesel generators may be the primary source of electricity.
The use of diesel fuel in military vehicles and equipment is expected to continue, with military planners directing the replacement of gasoline engine-powered equipment with diesel engine-driven alternatives.
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Transportation of goods
Diesel fuel is used extensively in the transportation of goods. Most of the products we use are transported by trucks and trains with diesel engines. These include freight and delivery trucks, as well as trains, which are used to carry heavy freight over long distances. Diesel engines offer greater performance, efficiency, and safety features, making them ideal for transporting goods.
Diesel fuel is also used in marine transportation, powering barges, cruise ships, some motorboats, and even submarines. Diesel is preferred in these vessels due to its simplicity of operation and good fuel economy. Additionally, diesel fuel has a greater energy density than other liquid fuels, providing more useful energy per unit of volume, which is advantageous for long-distance transportation.
In the construction industry, front loaders, bulldozers, cranes, and other heavy-duty vehicles rely on diesel fuel to power their engines. These vehicles need the extra power that diesel provides to carry and move heavy materials such as concrete and stone. Similar to construction vehicles, farming equipment and military vehicles also use diesel fuel for their engines, as it is less flammable and less explosive than other fuels, enhancing safety.
Diesel-powered trucks and trains play a crucial role in delivering goods across long distances, ensuring that products are efficiently transported from their points of origin to their final destinations. The use of diesel fuel in these vehicles facilitates the smooth operation of supply chains and contributes to the timely delivery of goods to consumers.
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Passenger vehicles
Diesel fuel is used in a variety of passenger vehicles around the world. While diesel-powered passenger cars are less common in the United States, they are prevalent in several other countries. For instance, diesel-fueled cars are a common sight in Italy, England, and India. In 2022, the U.S. transportation sector consumed about 2.98 million barrels of distillate (or diesel) fuel per day, excluding biodiesel and renewable diesel. This accounted for about 15% of total U.S. petroleum consumption.
The use of diesel fuel in passenger vehicles offers certain advantages. Diesel fuel has a greater energy density than other liquid fuels, providing more useful energy per unit of volume. This makes it a preferred choice for vehicles that need to travel long distances or carry heavy loads. Diesel engines are also known for their performance, efficiency, and safety features. They are less likely to stall than gasoline-fueled engines and diesel fuel is less flammable and less explosive, making it a safer option for certain applications.
In terms of environmental impact, diesel fuel has undergone changes to reduce its emissions and impact on human health. Before 2006, diesel fuel sold in the United States had high sulfur content, which contributed to air pollution. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implemented requirements to reduce sulfur content, resulting in ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel. As of 2016, most petroleum-based diesel fuel available in North America, the United Kingdom, and mainland Europe is of the ULSD type.
It is worth noting that diesel exhaust, especially from older engines, can still cause health issues. Additionally, while diesel engines were originally designed to use coal dust as fuel, they have evolved to use a variety of fuel sources, including biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel. The versatility of diesel engines and the increasing use of renewable diesel contribute to their ongoing presence in the passenger vehicle market.
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Backup power supply
Diesel fuel has been used in backup power systems for decades. It is a versatile solution for businesses and facilities that cannot install a stationary generator due to cost or space restrictions. Portable diesel generators can be moved from site to site and are especially useful in prolonged power outages.
Diesel backup generators are commonly used in industrial facilities, large buildings, hospitals, and electric utilities. They are reliable and can be used in many different applications across various industries. However, diesel generators have high emissions of CO2 and NOx, which are harmful to human health. Diesel exhaust, especially from older engines, can cause health damage.
With environmental concerns growing, diesel generators are falling out of favor. Natural gas is a popular alternative as it is supplied by a utility and is not stored on-site, so refueling is not an issue. Natural gas is also more environmentally friendly than diesel fuel and is less likely to be cut off during a power outage. Other alternatives to diesel include LP fuel (liquid and vapor), dual fuel (either natural gas or LP vapor), and bi-fuel (natural gas and diesel running simultaneously).
In recent years, hydrogen fuel cells have also emerged as a backup power supply option. Hydrogen fuel cells have low or no emissions and are cheaper than battery backups of the same capacity.
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Trains and marine vehicles
Diesel is a popular choice for marine vessels, including cruise ships, barges, motorboats, and even submarines. The simplicity of diesel operation and its good fuel economy make it an attractive option for ships. Additionally, the fuel's high energy density means that it provides more useful energy per unit of volume, which is crucial for long-distance travel.
The use of diesel fuel in trains and marine vehicles offers several advantages. Diesel engines are known for their performance, efficiency, and safety features. They are less likely to stall than gasoline-fueled engines, and diesel fuel is less flammable and less explosive, making it a safer option, especially for the military.
However, it's important to note that diesel exhaust, particularly from older engines, can be harmful to human health. To address this issue, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency implemented requirements in 2006 to reduce the sulfur content in diesel fuel, leading to the widespread adoption of ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD). This transition has helped mitigate the negative health impacts associated with diesel exhaust emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel is used in freight trucks, delivery trucks, trains, tractors, boats, barges, submarines, buses, construction vehicles, farm vehicles, military vehicles, and cars.
Diesel fuel is used in diesel-engine generators to generate electricity, especially in remote locations.
Many industrial facilities, large buildings, institutional facilities, hospitals, and electric utilities use diesel fuel.
Diesel fuel is any liquid fuel specifically designed for use in a diesel engine. It is most commonly a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, but biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel are also used.
