Advantages of Diesel fuel

Pretty cool find i think, thought id share.... Taken from DieselPower magazine

Judging by the title of this magazine, it should come as no surprise we here at Diesel Power are a little biased toward diesels. Why?

First of all, there's the emotional element-we were all raised by a pack of wild oil-burners. For a more down to earth explanation, facts, physics, and reason all point to diesel power over gasoline power as the transportation and energy solution. Here are some tidbits of wisdom you can share with the compression ignition non-believers. There are many more reasons, but due to the economy and worldwide ink shortages, we limited ourselves to 50.

1. Only a diesel vehicle can tow, be a work truck, drag race, sled pull, off-road race, and still be a reliable daily driver.

2. Diesel fuel is 15 percent more energy dense than gasoline.

3. A diesel releases less carbon dioxide into the air because it is more fuel efficient.

4. Diesel fuel does not evaporate as easily as gasoline, so it is much safer in accidents.

5. The Army uses diesel fuel.

6. The Navy uses diesel fuel.

7. The Marines use diesel fuel.

8. The trucking industry uses diesel fuel.

9. The aviation industry uses diesel fuel.

10. The mining industry uses diesel fuel.

11. The railroad industry uses diesel fuel.

12. The maritime shipping industry uses diesel fuel.

13. The U.S. Coast Guard uses diesel fuel.

14. The construction industry uses diesel fuel.

15. Diesel engines are like garbage disposals-they'll eat any type of oil-based fuel.

16. It's easier to recycle a diesel engine compared with a gasoline-electric hybrid.

17. After a few decades, someone will pay you for your junk diesel engine.

18. Due to their complicated construction, people will have to pay to recycle their gasoline-electric hybrid.

19. Diesel vehicles do not need complicated evaporation emission control systems.

20. All types of plastics can be made from biodiesel and vice versa.

21. Biodiesel could help off-roaders and racers who are dealing with emission and noise laws.

22. A diesel only compresses air in its cylinders, so fuel does not contaminate the oil like in a gasoline engine.

23. A diesel only compresses air, so carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons do not form in the crevices of the cylinder wall like in a gasoline engine.

24. A gasoline engine needs large amounts of fuel to get it started in cold weather (think about using the choke). If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, your car will never get its estimated fuel economy.

25. A diesel produces maximum torque at low engine speed. This makes it perfect for getting heavy loads moving.

26. A diesel is more reliable because it does not have to deal with a spark ignition system.

27. An article written by the Health Effects Institute suggests older diesel engines produce safer emissions. Although older engines produce more emissions by mass, their particles are larger and less dangerous.

28. You'll never have to worry about pre-ignition in a compression ignition engine.

29. Biodiesel has 34% more energy densitythan ethanol.

30. The largest and most powerful internal combustion engine in the world is a diesel (Wartsilla-Sulzer RTAA96-C).

31. If you're a fish, it's better to have 100,000 gallons of biodiesel spill into your river than 1 ounce of gasoline.

32. A diesel vehicle holds its value better than a gasoline one.

33. A mechanically injected diesel does not need electricity to keep it going. If your alternator fails, a diesel engine will get you home.

34. It is easier to turbocharge a diesel engine.

35. It is easier to supercharge a diesel engine.

36. Gasoline engines produce deadly concentrations of carbon monoxide. By contrast, diesels produce little carbon monoxide.

37. Diesel fuel is a lubricant. Gasoline is a solvent. What would you rather spray on your cylinder walls?

38. India's Tata Energy Research Institute said clean diesel beats compressed natural gas (CNG) on cost and delivers the same amount of "toxic" pollutants.

39. Compressed natural gas has 75% less energy density than diesel fuel.

40. The best batteries are 85% less energy dense than diesel fuel.

41. The diesel BMW 520D luxury car beat the Toyota Prius economy car in fuel economy tests.

42. Diesel dominated at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

43. If you're driving up a steep hill or carrying a heavy load, a diesel engine is less likely to stall.

44. Since diesels are built to withstand high compression, they are built with stronger pieces, which makes them last longer.

45. Rudolf Diesel built his engine to improve mankind.

46. With no ignition system, the mechanical diesel engine will not interfere with radios, communication devices, or pacemakers.

47. Diesels are better in remote areas and third world countries because they can run on vegetable oil and are less complicated than other drivetrains.

48. Since a diesel is more efficient, it generates less noise and waste heat.

49. Diesel fuel and exhaust just smells better.

50. Diesel engines require less fuel to drive a given distance or do a certain amount of work. Less fuel burned is less fuel refined, less fuel transported, less fuel stored, and less fuel spilled. And using less fuel in all of these categories is an advantage for the engine, vehicle, driver, economy, environment, and Diesel Power readers just like you!

1. A typical gasoline engine has a throttle plate. This unfortunate feature restricts its cylinders from completely filling up with air, except at wide-open throttle. This creates a vacuum in the intake manifold and pumping losses for the engine. A diesel, on the other hand, allows its cylinders to take full breaths of air during every intake stroke and instead relies on increasing the amount of fuel to create torque. The average gasoline engine spends 16 to 40 percent of its total power on overcoming its own air intake restriction (throttle). The word "throttle" is exciting for some reason. Perhaps with more knowledge, its meaning will change to what it represents-a wheezy and inefficient way to control power.

2. Diesel has history on its side. In 1824, Nicolas Leonard Sadi Carnot wrote the book Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire. It answered the question: How much work can you get from a certain amount of heat? He found the amount of work was not infinite and devised a theoretical ideal engine, which laid the foundation for the study of turning heat into mechanical energy. Carnot influenced Rudolf Diesel, and that is why his engine had such a high compression ratio.

3. Diesel engines have a higher compression ratio. Gasoline engines wish they could match diesel's 17:1 to 20:1 ratio, but if they push it past 10:1 (approximate), a gasoline engine's air-fuel mixture detonates before it's supposed to and could destroy the engine. The reason higher compression ratios equal more power is because of the increased cylinder pressure they offer. Let's say you have two identical single-cylinder engines with different compression ratios. If you added the same amount of fuel to each engine, you would get more horsepower from the one with a higher compression ratio. Plus, the lower-compression-ratio engine has more combustion-chamber surface area, which gives the heat more area to escape, instead of pushing down on the piston. Less waste heat equals more horsepower through greater efficiency.

4. A diesel runs leaner air-fuel ratios than a gas engine. Run a gasoline engine too lean and there will be problems like overheating, loss of power, and a non-functioning catalytic converter. In the worst-case scenario, a gasoline engine seizes and the catalytic converter gets destroyed. In order for a modern gas engine's catalytic converter to work properly, it needs a minimum 14.7:1 air-fuel ratio. What's more amazing, is gas engines dump excess fuel under wide-open throttle to cool combustion. A diesel is just the opposite. When fuel is added to the engine, the exhaust gas temperature goes up, and when it runs lean, the temperature goes down. At idle its possible for a diesel engine to run an air-fuel mixture as high as 100:1, and the worst that can happen under these conditions is the engine stalls due to lack of fuel.

5. A diesel's exhaust system will last much longer than a gasoline engine's exhaust system. Remember how we just said a diesel runs leaner? An added benefit is less water in the exhaust system. Water corrodes, so having dry exhaust is key to long exhaust pipe life. Water is not in fuel, but hydrogen is, and it combines with oxygen from the air during combustion to produce water vapor. If the outside air temperature is low enough, condensation occurs inside the pipe(s) and muffler(s), rusting them from the inside out. LexCarb LLC came up with an engineering solution to capitalize on this situation and it is called an On-board Water Recovery Unit. The Army quickly took notice, since it would help with logistics, specifically providing EPA-approved drinking water. Another use includes fueling an onboard hydrogen generator.

6. People who need performance need diesel. Take a look at those who do serious work-what they have in common is diesel power. For example, the military, trucking, railroad, mining, construction, and aviation industries all use diesel fuel. The United States is the only country in the world dominated by gasoline. In fact, we use more gasoline than the rest of the world-combined!

7. Diesels beat hybrids. The only way a gasoline-powered car can compete with the fuel economy of a diesel is when it is paired with an electric motor. Like all electrical devices, an electric motor produces an electromagnetic frequency (EMF). EMF has been linked to causing all kinds of health problems, including cancer. Imagine truck drivers sitting right on top of this device most of their lives. There might be a shield of some type to protect people in the future, but for now, it's drive hybrids at your own risk.

I love diesel cars. I'm actually looking at the diesel A3 for my next car.

Lol funny thread

335d

for


the



win

Still wouldn't push a diesel till i was about 50 years old

Death to diesel. In my whole life, I have seen 5 330I E46. 90 % 320d here.

^ lol


Yeah I don't care for diesel cars either. Too boring

diesels rev too low though...
8000rpm feels ridiculous in a gasoline car

Originally Posted by snikwad

49. Diesel fuel and exhaust just smells better.

I like diesel and at some point will get a diesel car for a commuter, but there's no way I can agree with this. Diesel exhaust nauseates me. I don't like any exhaust smells, but diesel is 1,000 times worse for me...

Stubbourn fools.

335d

getting mine next spring

snik, i agree diesel > gas

i recently saw the light. Here is the replacement to my 4runner (i want a white one though):

My thoughts on this article

Originally Posted by snikwad

Pretty cool find i think, thought id share.... Taken from DieselPower magazine

Judging by the title of this magazine, it should come as no surprise we here at Diesel Power are a little biased toward diesels. Why?

First of all, there's the emotional element-we were all raised by a pack of wild oil-burners. For a more down to earth explanation, facts, physics, and reason all point to diesel power over gasoline power as the transportation and energy solution. Here are some tidbits of wisdom you can share with the compression ignition non-believers. There are many more reasons, but due to the economy and worldwide ink shortages, we limited ourselves to 50.

1. Only a diesel vehicle can tow, be a work truck, drag race, sled pull, off-road race, and still be a reliable daily driver.
False, just a biased opinion as a gasoline engine can do the exact same things.

2. Diesel fuel is 15 percent more energy dense than gasoline.
Agreed, definite advantage of diesel.

3. A diesel releases less carbon dioxide into the air because it is more fuel efficient.
Not the diesel that is more efficient, since it is just fuel, but the efficiencies of a compression ignition engine. But despite the additional efficiency, there are much higher particulate levels.

4. Diesel fuel does not evaporate as easily as gasoline, so it is much safer in accidents.
Autoignition temperatures are much higher for diesel, but once it gets hot enough to catch fire, it acts just like gasoline. Also the fact that it doesn't evaporate and will stay around much longer poses problems as well, for example spilled gasoline will evaporate and be very dangerous for that relatively short time and then be gone, but the diesel will sit for much longer, making it a lesser threat, but over a longer period of time. It is still fuel after all.

5. The Army uses diesel fuel.
The Army also uses gasoline and kerosene. This is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

6. The Navy uses diesel fuel.
The Navy also uses gasoline, kerosene, and lots of nuclear power. Again, this is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

7. The Marines use diesel fuel.
Along with gasoline and others. Again, this is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

8. The trucking industry uses diesel fuel.
Not all, but most. Not a very good argument because you can say the motorsport industry uses mostly gasoline. Different fuels have different specialties. Again, this is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

9. The aviation industry uses diesel fuel.
The aviation industry uses a lot more kerosene and gasoline. Again, this is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

10. The mining industry uses diesel fuel.
Also other fuels. Again, this is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

11. The railroad industry uses diesel fuel.
Also other fuels, some indirectly nuclear being electric and getting their power from nuclear electric power plants. Again, this is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

12. The maritime shipping industry uses diesel fuel.
Again, this is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

13. The U.S. Coast Guard uses diesel fuel.
Again, this is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

14. The construction industry uses diesel fuel.
Again, this is a fact that doesn't make any fuel better or worse.

15. Diesel engines are like garbage disposals-they'll eat any type of oil-based fuel.
False, definitely not any type of "oil based fuel". Many industrial diesel engines aren't very picky with their fuel, but from case to case, may require more specific and limited types of fuel. "Clean diesels" require only specific fuels to prevent fouling their exhaust post treatment equipment and can often be more difficult to find than gasoline.

16. It's easier to recycle a diesel engine compared with a gasoline-electric hybrid.
And just as easy as a gasoline-electric hybrid engine. The only thing is that a hybrid vehicle also comes with a battery pack that is difficult to recycle, but that's irrelevant to making it better than other internal combustion engines.

17. After a few decades, someone will pay you for your junk diesel engine.
Depending on the engine, and same applies to other types of engines.

18. Due to their complicated construction, people will have to pay to recycle their gasoline-electric hybrid.
Comparing incomparable sources again; engines to entire vehicles. If a diesel truck had a flatbed full of batteries in the back to power a bunch of interior electronics, same cause applies to a diesel truck. But either way, cars can always be given away as someone will always want the parts.

19. Diesel vehicles do not need complicated evaporation emission control systems.
False. Yes they do unless it is a working class vehicle.

20. All types of plastics can be made from biodiesel and vice versa.
Also with recent technology, gasoline can be made from processed plastics and tires and other discard.

21. Biodiesel could help off-roaders and racers who are dealing with emission and noise laws.
So can mufflers and catalytic converters. lol

22. A diesel only compresses air in its cylinders, so fuel does not contaminate the oil like in a gasoline engine.
False. Yes, diesel does contaminate oil quite a bit and that is the reason for special diesel specific oils with extra detergents.

23. A diesel only compresses air, so carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons do not form in the crevices of the cylinder wall like in a gasoline engine.
lol wut? And what about the entire power/combustion stroke?

24. A gasoline engine needs large amounts of fuel to get it started in cold weather (think about using the choke). If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, your car will never get its estimated fuel economy.
False, common gasoline engines use more fuel at startup to warm up the catalytic converters and engine, but definitely not "large amounts". Yes, you can get good gas mileage in stop-and-go driving with selective engine shutoff, which can be difficult with diesels since they are more susceptible to cold engine starting. Diesels in general have more difficulties with cold weather since the fuel is much thicker as well as a compression ignition engine requires a minimum temperature to inside the engine to even work.

25. A diesel produces maximum torque at low engine speed. This makes it perfect for getting heavy loads moving.
Definitely a good perk for diesel engines since you don't need as much gearing/gears to make similar torque with many other types of engines.

26. A diesel is more reliable because it does not have to deal with a spark ignition system.
Well, that's assuming you consider a spark ignition system complex, and also considering you have never have problems with the glow plugs to get a cold diesel engine started. Not a very good argument.

27. An article written by the Health Effects Institute suggests older diesel engines produce safer emissions. Although older engines produce more emissions by mass, their particles are larger and less dangerous.
I'd like to see more info on this, but in general, all internal combustion engines create carcinogens in their exhaust. Due to the more common emissions treatment systems on gasoline engines, there are extremely low harmful substances coming out of many of todays gasoline engines, and I would argue less if I had more information to support myself.

28. You'll never have to worry about pre-ignition in a compression ignition engine.
True, but there are other things you get to worry about that a gasoline engine may not worry about.

29. Biodiesel has 34% more energy densitythan ethanol.
k?

30. The largest and most powerful internal combustion engine in the world is a diesel (Wartsilla-Sulzer RTAA96-C).
Cool story Hansel. But not surprising. For large industrial applications, which usually require the largest engines, diesel is usually superior.

31. If you're a fish, it's better to have 100,000 gallons of biodiesel spill into your river than 1 ounce of gasoline.
Explanation to this one? It makes no sense. Compared to gas, both float on top of the water, one sticks to things and suffocates, while the other doesn't but is more volatile. I call falseness on this as it seems much more like a myth.

32. A diesel vehicle holds its value better than a gasoline one.
Depends on what kinda a vehicle, and where in the world, etc... Quite often not true.

33. A mechanically injected diesel does not need electricity to keep it going. If your alternator fails, a diesel engine will get you home.
Same goes for mechanical fuel injection system or a carburetor. But in general most modern cars won't work with out power, diesel or not.

34. It is easier to turbocharge a diesel engine.
Agreed

35. It is easier to supercharge a diesel engine.
Agreed hear too, lol

36. Gasoline engines produce deadly concentrations of carbon monoxide. By contrast, diesels produce little carbon monoxide.
The burning of anything can create deadly levels of carbon monoxide, CO2, and other gasses that restrict the bodies absorption of oxygen.

37. Diesel fuel is a lubricant. Gasoline is a solvent. What would you rather spray on your cylinder walls?
Didn't you just argue in 22 and 23 that only air is compressed in a diesel engine and imply diesel burns right away and doesn't even get on the cylinder walls? lol, and with direct injection gasoline engines, the same would apply to that as a diesel.

38. India's Tata Energy Research Institute said clean diesel beats compressed natural gas (CNG) on cost and delivers the same amount of "toxic" pollutants.
Hard to believe, but I won't go against it with my data. Always believable that one type of engine is better than another type of engine at a specific job. Doesn't make either fuel better than the other overall.

39. Compressed natural gas has 75% less energy density than diesel fuel.
True.

40. The best batteries are 85% less energy dense than diesel fuel.
Likely true, but electric motors are far more efficient than internal combustion engines, but many batteries can be recharged with renewable energy, while the diesel fuel is one time use.

41. The diesel BMW 520D luxury car beat the Toyota Prius economy car in fuel economy tests.
No objections hear. Diesel definitely has its up.

42. Diesel dominated at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Troof. Some argued that the rules were slightly biased and as a result diesel rules are becoming more and more strict.

43. If you're driving up a steep hill or carrying a heavy load, a diesel engine is less likely to stall.
Umm, what? lol, how is that remotely useful or truthful information? If you are in the correct gearing, any engine can make it up a hill without stalling, regardless of size or fuel.

44. Since diesels are built to withstand high compression, they are built with stronger pieces, which makes them last longer.
To strictly respond to that that, false. Often higher levels of strength and safety margins did help many years ago. Unlikely difference in modern day engines.

45. Rudolf Diesel built his engine to improve mankind.
Who didn't build or engineer something to improve at least part of mankind?

46. With no ignition system, the mechanical diesel engine will not interfere with radios, communication devices, or pacemakers.
No properly made engine will interfere with radios, communication devices, or pacemakers.

47. Diesels are better in remote areas and third world countries because they can run on vegetable oil and are less complicated than other drivetrains.
Depends on the engine and location, but some diesel engines can't run on vegetable oil. For example, in cold climates, vegetable oil will solidify, making the vehicle until the entire vehicle is moved to warmer surroundings

48. Since a diesel is more efficient, it generates less noise and waste heat.
Waste heat, yes, noise, that is more dependent on other factors.

49. Diesel fuel and exhaust just smells better.
It also is a carcinogen. woo!

50. Diesel engines require less fuel to drive a given distance or do a certain amount of work. Less fuel burned is less fuel refined, less fuel transported, less fuel stored, and less fuel spilled. And using less fuel in all of these categories is an advantage for the engine, vehicle, driver, economy, environment, and Diesel Power readers just like you!
This is all part of the extra energy content and features of a compression ignition engine that you already stated.

Finally, its about time someone took the time to refute that Miles. It doesn't help that like 10 things are exactly the same as well.

Originally Posted by Acarder

Finally, its about time someone took the time to refute that Miles. It doesn't help that like 10 things are exactly the same as well.

the one about the 100,000 gallons and the fish basically ruins this article for me. redic.

I'd rock a diesel over a friggin hybrid. Those Benz E class diesels are pretty nice.

36. Gasoline engines produce deadly concentrations of carbon monoxide. By contrast, diesels produce little carbon monoxide.
The burning of anything can create deadly levels of carbon monoxide, CO2, and other gasses that restrict the bodies absorption of oxygen.

carbon monoxide = CO not CO2

Originally Posted by mistrzmiasta

levels of carbon monoxide, CO2, and other gasses ......

carbon monoxide = CO not CO2

The author was listing the names of different emissions....

Welcome to last century. We have been using (turbo charged) diesels in our cars for decades.