Different Applications for Diesel Fuel
For most people, diesel fuel is best known for its use in the 18-wheel semi-trucks which crisscross the United States and serve as a vital cargo-carrying link for the national economy. Others might be aware of the option of diesel fuel for smaller light trucks and even passenger cars. While these uses for diesel fuel are the most visible to the general public, there are several other applications which might not be as obvious. Let’s take a look at the different applications for diesel fuel that are out there.
Transportation is of course an important use for diesel fuel, thanks to the strong torque characteristics of a typical diesel engine. When combined with turbochargers, diesel engines found in heavy trucks can make well over 1,000 lb-ft of torque, which helps them haul loads that are often measured in the tens of thousands of pounds. In passenger car and truck applications, diesel engines are prized for their ability to deliver excellent power along with greater fuel economy when compared to gasoline. It is not uncommon for diesel cars manufactured by companies such as Volkswagen to flirt with the 50 miles per gallon mark in daily use. Diesel fuel use in passenger cars has become more and more accepted over the past several years thanks to the efforts of a number of automakers to make it a more viable option across their lineups.
Diesel fuel contains far more energy per volume than gasoline does, which is why it is able to demonstrate such impressive performance gains while returning exceptional fuel mileage. The trade-offs for using diesel fuel in this application are lower than normal engine revolutions, which is not normally a problem for engines which use forced induction in order to add greater top end power to complement the reams of low-end torque that are an important aspect of diesel design.
Diesel fuel is also used by freight and passenger trains, although not quite in the manner that one would expect. Instead of using the diesel engines in these trains to directly power the wheels, they are in fact attached to electrical generators which provide the voltage necessary to power the electric motors of these massive workhorses. There are some models of diesel train, known as diesel-mechanical locomotives that do offer a direct connection between the engine and the wheels, but they are in the minority. The use of diesel fuel to power electrical generators allows for the engines to be maintained in their optimum power band regardless of the train’s speed, which increases efficiency across the board.
Diesel fuel is also used in situations where its ability to resist ignition in the presence of a spark is an advantage. The reduced flammability of diesel fuel makes it popular for use in military vehicles, where it may be exposed to gunfire, shrapnel, or other explosive risks. Its non-volatility also makes it an asset in a number of industries where exposure to possible ignition sources is a daily fact of life.
The fantastic efficiency of diesel engines means that in addition to its uses in transportation, the fuel has found a high adoption rate amongst those looking for a reliable electrical generator. Especially in the case of backup power supplies, used during emergencies where the power grid is no longer reliable, diesel generators are worth their weight in gold. It is not uncommon for facilities such as hospitals and police stations to maintain large generators which can keep operations going indefinitely. Portable generators are also popular with construction sites, with some units the size of tractor trailers capable of stepping in to provide power for an entire city block should maintenance on the main lines be required.
