Regan Brown
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, is a combustible liquid used as fuel for diesel engines. It is derived from the fractional distillation of crude oil, resulting in a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons with a boiling point range of approximately 163-357°C. The term diesel fuel originates from the German scientist and inventor Rudolf Diesel, who created the compression-ignition engine around 1892. This engine, named the diesel engine, 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. While petroleum-derived diesel is the most common type, alternative sources such as biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel are gaining popularity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Diesel, diesel oil, heavy oil, DERV, distillate, gas oil, Bunker C, petrodiesel, auto diesel, automotive diesel oil, diesel engine road vehicle, gas oil, kerosene, arctic diesel, diesel fuel oil, marine diesel fuel, distillate marine diesel fuel |
| Origin | Named after Rudolf Diesel, who invented the compression-ignition engine in 1892 |
| Composition | Derived from crude oil through fractional distillation; consists of hydrocarbons with carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C9-C20; boiling points in the range of 163-357°C |
| Sources | Petroleum, biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, coal liquefaction |
| Production | Obtained by cracking heavier fractions using visbreaking and coking; hydrocracking; distillation of crude oil |
| Use | Fuel for diesel engines in motor vehicles, ships, trains, generators, etc. |
| Performance criteria | Cetane number, ease of volatilization, sulfur content |
| Grades | Light-middle, middle, heavy distillates |
| Regulations | EU regulations require "zero-sulfur" or "sulfur-free" diesel with ≤10 ppm sulfur |
| Taxation | Taxes vary based on region and use case; e.g., "red diesel" in the UK for agricultural use |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Diesel fuel is named after Rudolf Diesel, the German scientist who invented the compression-ignition engine in 1892
- Colloquial names for diesel fuel include white diesel, red diesel, distillate, gas oil, and diesel oil
- Diesel fuel is derived from crude oil through fractional distillation, resulting in a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons
- Diesel fuel can also be produced from alternative sources such as biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction
- Diesel fuel has higher taxes than heating oil in some regions due to fuel tax regulations, resulting in the use of fuel dyes for identification
Diesel fuel is named after Rudolf Diesel, the German scientist who invented the compression-ignition engine in 1892
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel used in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. It is named after Rudolf Diesel, the German scientist who invented the compression-ignition engine in 1892. Diesel patented his original design in 1892, and it has since become the standard for diesel engines.
Rudolf Diesel's invention was a significant development in the field of engine technology. His compression-ignition engine, also known as the Diesel engine, was designed to use fuel that would ignite without a spark, through the compression of inlet air and the subsequent injection of fuel. This unique feature set diesel engines apart from other internal combustion engines of the time.
The diesel engine's ability to ignite fuel through compression made it a highly efficient and innovative design. The absence of a spark-ignition system simplified the engine's construction and improved its fuel efficiency. This made the diesel engine particularly well-suited for use in various vehicles, including freight and delivery trucks, trains, buses, boats, and even some cars.
Over time, the term "diesel fuel" became commonly associated with this type of liquid fuel designed specifically for diesel engines. The fuel is derived from various sources, including petroleum, biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction. However, the most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, also known as petrodiesel.
The naming of diesel fuel after Rudolf Diesel is a testament to his groundbreaking invention. By creating the compression-ignition engine, Diesel not only revolutionized engine technology but also left an indelible mark on the terminology and fuel standards associated with diesel engines and diesel fuel.
Diesel Fuel Costs in Alaska: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Colloquial names for diesel fuel include white diesel, red diesel, distillate, gas oil, and diesel oil
Diesel fuel is derived from crude oil through fractional distillation. The distillates heavier than kerosene derived by atmospheric distillation of crude oil are the gas oil streams. Gasoils are the main blending components for diesel fuel production. Diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, though biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL), and gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel are increasingly being developed and adopted. In the United States, diesel fuel was historically distilled from petroleum, while in Europe, it was derived from coal-tar creosote oil.
Diesel fuel is commonly referred to as "diesel" or sometimes white diesel in the United Kingdom. White diesel is also known as diesel engine road vehicle (DERV) fuel and is used for road vehicles such as cars, vans, trucks, trains, and HGVs. It is subject to the full rate of fuel duty. In contrast, red diesel is used for off-road vehicles, machinery, and equipment and is taxed at a lower rate. It is also known as gas oil and is commonly used for agricultural purposes, such as fuel for tractors and recreational and utility vehicles.
In Australia, diesel fuel is called distillate, while in Indonesia, Israel, and the Middle East, it is known as Solar, a trademarked name from the national petroleum company Pertamina. The term gas oil is also used in French as "gazole" to refer to diesel fuel.
Understanding Diesel Fuel Cost Fluctuations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Diesel fuel is derived from crude oil through fractional distillation, resulting in a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a type of liquid fuel used in diesel engines, which are internal combustion engines that compress inlet air and then inject fuel without requiring spark ignition. Diesel fuel is primarily derived from the fractional distillation of crude oil, resulting in a complex mixture of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. This process involves heating a mixture of two or more fluids with different densities to their boiling points, causing them to separate into distinct distillates. The distillates produced through fractional distillation vary in density, with the least dense gases at the top and denser fuels like diesel at the bottom.
Fractional distillation of crude oil yields a range of petroleum products, including diesel fuel, petrol, gas oil, jet fuel, and heating oil. Diesel fuel, in particular, is produced within a temperature range of approximately 200°C to 350°C at atmospheric pressure. This process results in a mixture of carbon chains composed of 9 to 25 carbon atoms per molecule. The resulting diesel fuel has a boiling point range of roughly 163°C to 357°C.
The composition of diesel fuel primarily consists of aliphatic hydrocarbons, also known as paraffins or alkanes, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons make up about 75% of diesel fuel and include compounds such as methane, ethane, propane, and butane. Aromatic hydrocarbons, comprising around 25% of diesel fuel, include compounds like benzene and styrene. Additionally, small amounts of sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen, known as heteroatoms, may be present in diesel fuel.
The production of diesel fuel from crude oil typically involves three main steps: distillation, various conversion processes, and clean-up. However, diesel fuel can also be derived from alternative sources such as biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction. These alternative sources undergo different processes to produce biodiesel, biomass-to-liquid (BTL) diesel, or gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel.
The name "diesel" originates from the German scientist and inventor Rudolf Diesel, who conducted experiments for his compression-ignition engine around 1892. Today, diesel fuel is commonly classified based on the type of engine it fuels, with grades ranging from 1-D to 4-D.
Priming a Precan Diesel Fuel Pump: The Right Way
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Diesel fuel can also be produced from alternative sources such as biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is a liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine. While the most common type of diesel fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, it can also be produced from alternative sources. These alternative sources include biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
Biomass can be converted directly into liquid biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, through biological and thermochemical processes. Ethanol is produced through fermentation, where microorganisms like bacteria and yeast metabolize plant sugars to create ethanol. Biodiesel, on the other hand, is produced by combining alcohol with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking grease. It is a cleaner-burning replacement for petroleum-based diesel fuel and can be blended with it in any proportion.
Animal fats and vegetable oils can also be converted into biodiesel through a process called transesterification, where the fats and oils are reacted with methanol or ethanol to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) or ethyl esters, respectively. This process results in a biodiesel fuel that can be used in diesel engines without modification.
Biogas is another alternative source for diesel fuel production. Biogas is often produced through the fermentation of organic matter by microorganisms, resulting in a mixture of gases, primarily methane and carbon dioxide. This biogas can be processed further to create a synthetic diesel fuel.
Natural gas is a crucial carbonaceous precursor for synthetic diesel production through the Fischer-Tropsch process. This process converts natural gas into synthesis gas, which is then transformed into synthetic diesel, mainly composed of paraffins with low sulfur and aromatics content.
Coal liquefaction has been used to produce synthetic diesel fuel, particularly during World War II in Germany, where it played a significant role in the country's fuel supply. The process involves the conversion of coal into liquid fuels through direct or indirect liquefaction methods, yielding high-quality diesel fuel.
Flushing Your Diesel Fuel System: The Complete Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Diesel fuel has higher taxes than heating oil in some regions due to fuel tax regulations, resulting in the use of fuel dyes for identification
Diesel fuel, also known as diesel oil, heavy oil, or simply diesel, is designed for diesel engines. These engines are a type of internal combustion engine in which fuel ignition occurs without a spark due to inlet air compression and subsequent fuel injection. Diesel fuel is similar to heating oil, which is used in central heating systems. However, in some regions, including Europe, the United States, and Canada, diesel fuel is taxed at a higher rate than heating oil due to fuel tax regulations.
The difference in taxation rates between diesel fuel and heating oil has led to the use of fuel dyes and trace chemicals for identification in these regions. This measure is implemented to prevent and detect tax fraud. "Untaxed" or "off-road" diesel, sometimes referred to as "red diesel" due to its red dye, is available for agricultural purposes in certain countries. This type of diesel is used in tractors, recreational vehicles, and other non-commercial vehicles that do not operate on public roads.
The use of untaxed diesel fuel for typical taxed purposes, such as driving, can result in fines. For example, in the United States, using untaxed diesel can incur a fine of up to US$10,000. In the United Kingdom, diesel fuel intended for road use is often called "white diesel" to differentiate it from the reduced-tax agricultural product, which contains a coloured dye. This agricultural diesel is also known as "red diesel" in the UK.
The taxation and identification practices surrounding diesel fuel and heating oil vary across regions and are influenced by local regulations and market conditions. The demand for heating oil can impact the diesel fuel market, and transportation costs can vary depending on the distance from the source of supply, such as the Gulf Coast, which accounts for approximately half of US diesel fuel production.
The name "diesel" originates from the German scientist and inventor Rudolf Diesel, who conducted experiments for his compression-ignition engine around 1892. The term "gas oil" is also used interchangeably with diesel fuel in some regions, such as France, where it is called "gazole."
Using Teflon Tape on Diesel Fuel Fittings: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel is named after German scientist and inventor Rudolf Diesel, who invented the compression-ignition engine in 1892.
Diesel fuel is a liquid fuel designed for use in a diesel engine, which is a type of internal combustion engine.
Diesel fuel is typically derived from the fractional distillation of crude oil, but can also be made from biomass, animal fat, biogas, natural gas, and coal liquefaction.
