Diesel fuel

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Diesel fuel is a type of fuel used in diesel engines. It is derived from petroleum and is a type of hydrocarbon. Diesel fuel is used in many types of vehicles, including trucks, buses, and trains, as well as in some types of ships and aircraft.

Composition

Diesel fuel is composed of hydrocarbons, which are compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon. The exact composition of diesel fuel can vary, but it generally contains between 8 and 21 carbon atoms per molecule. The most common types of hydrocarbons in diesel fuel are paraffin, naphthenes, and aromatics.

Production

Diesel fuel is produced from crude oil through a process known as refining. The crude oil is heated and separated into different components based on their boiling points. The components that boil at the temperatures used for diesel fuel are collected and further processed to remove impurities and improve the fuel's properties.

Properties

Diesel fuel has a number of properties that make it suitable for use in diesel engines. These include a high energy density, which means it contains a large amount of energy per unit of volume, and a high flash point, which makes it safer to handle than some other types of fuel. Diesel fuel also has a high cetane number, which is a measure of its ignition quality.

Environmental Impact

The use of diesel fuel has a number of environmental impacts. When burned, it releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, as well as other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These can contribute to air pollution and climate change. However, modern diesel engines are designed to minimize these emissions, and there are also biofuels and other alternatives to diesel fuel that can be more environmentally friendly.

See Also

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  • Diesel rainbow

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD