BENEFITS AND COST OF A DIESEL ENGINE

Long-Term And Short-Term Benefits And Cost Of A Diesel Engine In Passenger Cars And Trucks Vs Similar Gas Engines



Long-Term And Short-Term Benefits And Cost Of A Diesel Engine In Passenger Cars And Trucks Vs Similar Gas Engines

In today's world, where fuel prices are increasing as a consequence of spiraling demand and diminishing supply, you need to choose a cost effective fuel to meet your needs. Thanks to the invention of Rudolph Diesel, the diesel engine has proved to be extremely efficient and cost effective.  Diesel fuel is priced moderately higher than gasoline but diesel has a higher energy density, i.e. more energy can be extracted from diesel as compared with the same volume of gasoline. Therefore, diesel engines in automobiles provide higher mileage, making it an obvious choice for heavy-duty transportation and equipment. Diesel is heavier and oilier compared with gasoline, and has a boiling point higher than that of water.  And diesel engines are attracting greater attention due to higher efficiency and cost effectiveness.

How Does a Diesel Engine Work?

The distinction lies in the type of ignition.  While gasoline engines operate on spark ignition, diesel engines employ compression - ignition for igniting the fuel. In the latter, air is drawn into the engine and subjected to high compression that heats it up. This results in a very high temperature in the engine, much higher than the temperature attained in a gasoline engine. At peak temperature and pressure, diesel that is let into the engine ignites on account of the extreme temperature.

In a diesel engine, air and the fuel are infused into the engine at different stages, as opposed to a gas engine where a mixture of air and gas are introduced. Fuel is injected into the diesel engine using an injector whereas in a gasoline engine, a carburetor is used for this purpose. In a gasoline engine, fuel and air are sent into the engine together, and then compressed. The air and fuel mixture limits fuel compression, and hence the overall efficiency. A diesel engine compresses only air, and the ratio can be much higher. A diesel engine compresses at the ratio of 14:1 up to 25:1, whereas in a gasoline engine the compression ratio is between 8:1 and 12:1. After combustion, the combustion by-products are removed from the engine through the exhaust. For starting during cold months extra heat is provided through 'glow plugs'.

Diesel engines can either be two cycle or four cycle and are chosen depending on mode of operation. Air-cooled and liquid-cooled engines are the variants to be chosen appropriately.  It is preferable to use a liquid-cooled generator as it is quiet in operation and has evenly controlled temperature. 

Advantages of a Diesel Engine

The diesel engine is much more efficient and preferable as compared with gasoline engine due to the following reasons:

Modern diesel engines have overcome disadvantages of earlier models of higher noise and maintenance costs.  They are now quiet and require less maintenance as compared with gas engines ...