The Advantages of Diesel Fuel

When crude oil is refined, it can be made into many different types of fuel such as kerosene, gasoline and diesel. This is done using a special separation process. Diesel fuel has a higher energy density than regular gasoline, making it more powerful and efficient, which is why it gets better mileage. A vehicle with a diesel engine can travel an average of 30% further than a vehicle with a gas engine. Diesel prices are a bit higher than gas prices due to demand but makes up for it with efficiency.

Although diesel engines and gas engines are similar, diesel fuel can only be used in a diesel engine. Both diesel and gas engines covert fuel into energy through a series of small combustions. The major difference between diesel and gas is the way these combustions happen. In a gas engine, fuel is mixed with air, compressed by pistons and ignited by sparks from the spark plugs. In a diesel engine, the air is compressed first and then the fuel is injected. Because air heats up when it’s compressed, the fuel ignites. Diesel engines are used for a wide variety of things other than just cars including transport trucks, boats, trains and farm equipment. Therefore it is very important to our economy.

Diesel fuel has been gaining in popularity around the world due to its many benefits. Diesel powered vehicles not only have better fuel economy than gasoline engines, they also produce less greenhouse gas emissions. Diesel engines used to be smelly and noisy, but they have since been improved with modern technology.

Biodiesel is a non-fossil fuel alternative to petro-diesel that can be used in diesel engines, without needing to modify the engine. It’s made from plant oils or animal fats and can be combined with diesel or used on it’s own. Bio-diesel is an environmentally friendly renewable resource. It also reduces emissions, it’s biodegradable, it’s safer to transport and handle and reduces dependence on foreign oil. It’s currently being used in both public and private vehicles.

Biodiesel is expected to continue to gain popularity and become more readily available in the future. In the U.S., soybean oil is the main oil being used but it can be made with any vegetable oil using a process called transesterification. Even used cooking oil from restaurants can be can be used although it needs to be cleaned first. This allows for the recycling of used oils which is also good for the environment.

Some car models that are available with diesel engines include:

• 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec: This sedan model uses a type of injection technology called AdBlue that meets even the toughest emissions standards. It reduces nitrogen-oxide levels to the point that the diesel is as clean as the E350’s gasoline version. 23 mpg city/32 mpg hwy.



• 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI: This is a large 6 passenger SUV. It has an adjustable suspension and an off-road mode that make it great for rough terrain. 18 mpg city/24 mpg hwy.



• 2009 VW Jetta TDI: One of the cleanest diesel vehicles available, it uses a NOx-storage catalyst system. The catalyst is basically a filter that traps offensive emissions. Periodically, the engine will switch to an air-fuel mixture that will burn off the material in the traps. 30 mpg city/41 mpg hwy.