Diesel Is the Future
Diesel Fuel is the Future
Craig W. Brown
COMM/215
March 3, 2013
RODNEY SPRAUVE Diesel Fuel is the Future
Even though the cost of diesel is higher per gallon, diesel Fuel is more efficient because diesel fuel burns hotter creating more energy and it requires less to refine.
Diesel fuel is more efficient than the internal combustion engine due to the higher temperature of combustion and greater expansion ratio. The typical gasoline engine is 30% efficient while the diesel engine normally converts over 45% of the fuel to mechanical energy. The conversion of this energy directly relates to the efficiency of the vehicle burning it. Moving freight by rail is 3 times more fuel efficient than moving freight on the highway. Trains can move a ton of freight nearly 450 miles on a single gallon of fuel. Efficient use of fuel means fewer greenhouse gas emissions for our planet. According to Encyclopedia Britannica (2013) “The most outstanding feature of the diesel engine is its efficiency. By compressing air rather than using air fuel mixture, the diesel engine is not limited by the preignition problems that plague high compression spark-ignition engines.” This is the main reason that the diesel engine is used in heavy equipment. It is capable of producing high torque at low revolution per minute. Torque is the force that affects rotational motion; the greater the torque, the greater the change in this motion.
Brian (n.d.), “Diesel fuel has a higher energy density than gasoline. On average, 1 gallon (3.8 L) of diesel fuel contains approximately 155x106 joules (147,000 BTU), while 1 gallon of gasoline contains 132x106 joules (125,000 BTU). This, combined with the improved efficiency of diesel engines, explains why diesel engines get better mileage than equivalent gasoline engines” (para. 21). In looking at the fact that the diesel engine produces more BTU per gallon than gasoline makes it the more efficient fuel of the future. This is the energy that
Craig W. Brown
COMM/215
March 3, 2013
RODNEY SPRAUVE Diesel Fuel is the Future
Even though the cost of diesel is higher per gallon, diesel Fuel is more efficient because diesel fuel burns hotter creating more energy and it requires less to refine.
Diesel fuel is more efficient than the internal combustion engine due to the higher temperature of combustion and greater expansion ratio. The typical gasoline engine is 30% efficient while the diesel engine normally converts over 45% of the fuel to mechanical energy. The conversion of this energy directly relates to the efficiency of the vehicle burning it. Moving freight by rail is 3 times more fuel efficient than moving freight on the highway. Trains can move a ton of freight nearly 450 miles on a single gallon of fuel. Efficient use of fuel means fewer greenhouse gas emissions for our planet. According to Encyclopedia Britannica (2013) “The most outstanding feature of the diesel engine is its efficiency. By compressing air rather than using air fuel mixture, the diesel engine is not limited by the preignition problems that plague high compression spark-ignition engines.” This is the main reason that the diesel engine is used in heavy equipment. It is capable of producing high torque at low revolution per minute. Torque is the force that affects rotational motion; the greater the torque, the greater the change in this motion.
Brian (n.d.), “Diesel fuel has a higher energy density than gasoline. On average, 1 gallon (3.8 L) of diesel fuel contains approximately 155x106 joules (147,000 BTU), while 1 gallon of gasoline contains 132x106 joules (125,000 BTU). This, combined with the improved efficiency of diesel engines, explains why diesel engines get better mileage than equivalent gasoline engines” (para. 21). In looking at the fact that the diesel engine produces more BTU per gallon than gasoline makes it the more efficient fuel of the future. This is the energy that
References: Diesel engine. (2013). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.brotnnica.com/EBchecked/topic/162716/diesel-engine Brain, Marshall. "How Diesel Engines Work" 01 April 2000. HowStuffWorks.com. < http://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel.htm> 04 March 2013. The rising diesel price. (2008, April). Oil & Gas Journal, 106(16), 17. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/docview/274351217?accountid=35812