Diesel engine description

Diesel engine are diesel fueled engines that are used in comparatively large vehicles, as they can produce a large amount of force at low speeds.

In addition, they have a good fuel economy and the fuel is cheap, making them economical and a popular choice for passenger cars as well.

In order to look at the characteristics of these diesel engines in detail, let's first compare gasoline engines and diesel engines.

The basic structure of both gasoline and diesel engines are almost the same, the combustion cycles are the same.  So what are the differences between gasoline and diesel engines ?

Let's look at each in detail.

• Differences in the combustion method
  In gasoline and diesel engines, the method with which fire is applied to burn the fuel is quite different.
  In gasoline engines, a spark ignites the fire.
  In diesel engines, the fuel burns through self-ignition.
  Self ignition is the same as pouring cooking oil into a pan, setting a fire under it, and leaving it.
  As the temperature of the oil rises, it self ignites and begins to burn. This is the biggest feature of diesel engines.
• Differences in the fuel used
  Diesel engines used for automobiles use diesel fuel, while gasoline engines use gasoline. Diesel fuel has a higher flash point than gasoline, as well as a lower ignition point. 
  In other word, gasoline will catch fire with a fire applied to it even at low temperatures, while diesel fuel will not at normal temperatures under the same conditions. The diesel fuel will be the first to ignite on its own when raising the temperature of the fuel itself.
  For this reason, ignition occurs in gasoline engines using spark plugs, while in diesel engines heat is applied to the diesel fuel directly for self-ignition.
  In diesel engines, heat is generated by compressing air. In self ignited diesel engines, it is necessary for the fuel to ignite easily, and so diesel fuel with good ignitability is convenient.

Vehicle power

The role of engines

Vehicles themselves are heavy and in order to run while carrying people and heavy objects, significant power is required.

The component that generates this power is the engine. Also, since vehicle must run on various kinds of roads, such as hills and highways, it is necessary for the driver to be able to freely control the power generated by engine.

As an engine runs it continuous to heat up. It felt like this it would break down due to heat. In order for the engine to be run for long periods of time, there is a cooling system.

Power from the engine is also used to operate devices such as the air conditioning.

As such, the engine plays an important role in powering the vehicle. Let's take a look at the different types of engines and power not from engine.

Gasoline engine

Gasoline engine are small, lightweight, have high output and because they make little noise or vibration, they are used in the passenger vehicles, so much so that the gasoline engine is near synonymous when speaking of engines for passenger cars.

Diesel engine

Vehicles equipped with an engine that uses diesel as fuel. Diesel engines are economical as fuel costs are low and they have good fuel efficiency, but they are inferior to gasoline engines when it comes to vibration, noise, acceleration etc.

Hybrid

Vehicle powered by both an engine and an electric motor.

By driving using the efficient points of both the engine and motor, fuel economy and acceleration performance are improved.

Electric vehicle
One characteristic of these is that no exhaust gases are put out, as the vehicle runs only with a motor. On the other hand, a large battery is required, it has a low traveling range compared to gasoline engines, and it takes time to charge the battery.

Fuel cell vehicle

Using hydrogen as fuel, electricity is drawn using a chemical reaction, and the vehicle runs by turning a motor.

It is an environment friendly vehicle that discharges only water. On the other hand the safe handling of hydrogen and few fueling system stations still present a problem.