Diesel Fuel Advantages - 50 Reasons Why Diesel Is The Ultimate Fuel

[WBarnes]

I've heard the newer diesels can have problems if you don't put in enough miles and that was from the actual Ford dealer. Something to do with the injectors clogging up.

 

[Sunny]

This was posted in another thread - the diesel unit from the new Panamera -

Now, I don't have a crystal ball, but if someone showed me something like that and then something like this and forced me to bet my life savings on one to be the future of personal transportation, I know where my money would be. And no, it won't be the fantastic Rube Goldberg machine on top.

 

[chonkoa]

Well one theory is that the earth is still producing oil. I don't know much about that theory but it is something to the effect that oil is made from some other reaction in the earth and not from dead dinos.

Yes it is.
The process of converting biological matter to hydrocarbons(Crude Oil, and Gas) is an ongoing process.
Deposition of biological matter, compaction through sedimentation and the resulting pressure and temperature in the absence of oxygen is what gives us the complex hydrocarbon chains over the years.
When we and other living things die and gets buried, we get recycled geologically to hydrocarbons. Plants undergo the same process to give us coal.

 

[martinbo]

Y'know what they say Sunny... No guts no glory.

In all seriousness - you know that I subscribe to that way of thinking: the modern automobile - as a transportation appliance - is way too complicated. There's just too much going on just to have to turn two or four wheels. [You've heard me say this before.] So yes, I want pic #2 to happen sooner rather than later.

But, as with all things, one has to take a balanced view and what better way to illustrate such a view than with this image from today.

The trip meter was reset upon refueling. Yip, that's near-as-dammit 100 miles with the fuel tank still showing "full" (ok, ok, we know it's not a perfectly accurate gauge when topped to the brim) and still 863 km of range at the current average for the tank thus far. Yes, I know, it'll probably end up at more like 950 km with mixed use but still... no electric car is anywhere near capable of such range. Moreover, it's not like I was mooching about and that temperature shows that the aircon was working hard.

No. Way. In. Hell. Will a current in-production electric vehicle be able to deliver anything close to HALF of what my expected mileage will be under the same driving conditions.

I always liken this automotive period to be analogous with how 1942 was for jet engines. Piston-engined warplanes were fast approaching their zenith with engines like the Rolls Royce Merlin & Griffons, P&W Double Wasp and BMW 801 (to name but a few) pushing these aircraft to onward of 700 km/h. Imagine what the top guns of the day would've made of the early jet-engined prototypes with all their whistling noise and inferior (at the time) performance.

Wartime progress is prodigious and in the space of a decade the piston-engined fighter had been rendered obsolete. I think it will take 3 to 4 times longer for the electric car to supplant the ICE-powered automobile but I have no doubt in my mind at this stage of thinking that it's the way to go.

But, we're not there yet and - despite the devil that diesel is - it will be some time before we see the likes of real-world efficiency of the modern-day diesel.

 

[Sunny]

^Can't disagree with most of that, Martin. Just some food for thought though -

Yes, range is the achilles heel of current electric cars, but how much of an impediment is it really? Ample amount of research on commute distances exist. Not sure how it is in other parts of the world, but in US (which is hardly known for good urban planning), 90+% of people commute less than 35 miles (56km). I think around 10x that (~500 km) is when people would probably completely turn off to range being an issue.

Second, battery energy density goes up between 5%-8% a year. So, in roughly ~12 years, it could double. Along side that battery costs have been going down rapidly by <not captured in one nice round figure, but some non-insignificant double digit figure (35% in 2015)>.

Given all that, my only disagreement is your timeframe. I think 30-40 years is just too long, my estimate is roughly half that - 15-20 years before electric cars dominate personal transportation.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

For me personally the range issue is important. Turn around point would be a range of + 1.000 km. To put the 1.000 km in perspective: yesterday I've driven almost 700 km in one day. A Tesla would have forced me to fuel it at least 2 times. In Europe there are more like me. Some thoughts: I hear a lot of engineers who say, electric transport is an ancient technique. From an broather environmental view not much better than normal combustion cars (battery production, what to do with old batteries, certain rare earth that's needed for batteries). What I've got a problem with, is that the whole discussion is so politically, ideologically driven, almost like it's pushed through my throat. Also think alternatives aren't getting a real chance.

 

[klier]

For me personally the range issue is important. Turn around point would be a range of + 1.000 km. To put the 1.000 km in perspective: yesterday I've driven almost 700 km in one day.

Yea but on average people drive maybe 700 km in two weeks instead of 1 day..

And we here in The Hague have the country's first fastloading electric station, just for electric cars. They put it up in around a week. The whole country will be filled with them very shortly.

No. Way. In. Hell. Will a current in-production electric vehicle be able to deliver anything close to HALF of what my expected mileage will be under the same driving conditions.

The facelifted i3, soon.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

The whole country will be filled with them very shortly.

well, 'very shortly' remains to be seen.

 

[Sunny]

... Some thoughts: I hear a lot of engineers who say, electric transport is an ancient technique. From an broather environmental view not much better than normal combustion cars (battery production, what to do with old batteries, certain rare earth that's needed for batteries). What I've got a problem with, is that the whole discussion is so politically, ideologically driven, almost like it's pushed through my throat. Also think alternatives aren't getting a real chance.

Apologize before hand if I sound coarse, I am not overreacting, but just being blunt (I do consider your posts in high regard, but this wasn't one of them). The discussion above about electrical vs diesel between me and Martin wasn't political or ideological. It wasn't even about the environment. It is you who came and mentioned all those things (to which someone will probably respond in kind and become a self fulfilling prophecy).

And no, no one is forcing anything down you throat. Don't like the discussion, don't be part of it. Don't like an electric car, don't buy it. Heck, I don't like them for what cars are to me and so I haven't bought one.

As for the the little "lot of people tell me" trumpism, about the environment and electric cars, well, it is inaccurate (and majority of peer reviewed research backs that). But the discussion wasn't about the environment. It was about electric cars being better or not on it's own merit. Human nature being what it is, I believe, that is what it will take for it to succeed. And I believe they already are well on their way to be that.

As for your driving habits, that just makes you an outlier. It doesn't make the market.

Again, apologize for the bluntness. Sincerely mean that.

 

[klier]

well, 'very shortly' remains to be seen.

Well, they create these electric fueling stations extremely fast. All they have to do is take an electricity cable and put a small station on top of it. It's a week work, at the most. I was quite surprised to see it being built this fast!

 

[Mick Briesgau]

Apologize before hand if I sound coarse, I am not overreacting, but just being blunt (I do consider your posts in high regard, but this wasn't one of them). The discussion above about electrical vs diesel between me and Martin wasn't political or ideological. It wasn't even about the environment. It is you who came and mentioned all those things (to which someone will probably respond in kind and become a self fulfilling prophecy).

And no, no one is forcing anything down you throat. Don't like the discussion, don't be part of it. Don't like an electric car, don't buy it. Heck, I don't like them for what cars are to me and so I haven't bought one.

As for the the little "lot of people tell me" trumpism, about the environment and electric cars, well, it is inaccurate (and majority of peer reviewed research backs that). But the discussion wasn't about the environment. It was about electric cars being better or not on it's own merit. Human nature being what it is, I believe, that is what it will take for it to succeed. And I believe they already are well on their way to be that.

As for your driving habits, that just makes you an outlier. It doesn't make the market.

Again, apologize for the bluntness. Sincerely mean that.

No need to apologize, Sunny.

 

[RyanThompson]

here they are:

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 amountof work. Less fuel burned is less fuel refined, less fuel transported, less fuel stored, and less fuel spilled.


The Sacred Seven

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.


Diesel Fuel Advantages - Diesel Engine - Diesel Power Magazine

Hello all, Thanks for telling the advantages of Diesel. You post such a nice and interesting information regarding Diesel.