The Diesel Engine
Invented by Rudolf Diesel in the 1890s, the diesel engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses the heat of highly compressed air to ignite a spray of fuel introduced after the start of the compression stroke.
The engine of a 2009 BMW 335d
It is highly efficient in converting heat energy into work.
A diesel engine differs from its gasoline counterpart in that the ignition of fuel is caused by compression of air in its cylinders instead of by an ignition spark: the high compression ratio causes the air in the cylinder to become hot enough to ignite the fuel. This is referred to as compression ignition as opposed to spark ignition.
Diesel engines burn fuel oil, which requires less refining and is cheaper than higher-grade fuel such as gasoline. During the combustion process, the stored chemical energy in the fuel is converted to thermal, or heat, energy. The temperature in each cylinder rises as high as 2,480 °C, thus creating pressures of about 100 kilograms per square centimeter. The pressure pushes against the tops of the pistons, forcing them to the other end of their cylinders. The pistons are connected by a rod to a crankshaft which they turn, thus supplying power to a vehicles or machinery.
Diesel engines were first used in automobiles in the 1930s. The first manufacturer to produce a diesel-powered car was Mercedes-Benz in 1936.
In Europe, ca. 50% of all new car sales are diesel. In the U.S. that figure is closer to 3%.
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Diesel,
In my youth disels were drive by older guys who loved gas mileage.
However at 19cents a gallon for gas , there was little need.
The gasoline cars were powerful comfortable quiet,by comparisson the diesels stank were noisy and weak.
How times have change , I have the opportunity to drive many different types of diesel vehicles in Europe and it is always a pleasure. Regardless of the make the efficency and performance of modern TDI or CDI diesles is stupendous. I.6 turbo diesel engines with the grunt of a small V8. Citroen, Renault Fiat Puegoet VW Skoda Audi VW and many many others. While the quality and the price may vary by brand, the preformance is far more satisfying than a comparble sized higher horsepower gasoline engine.
It will take America a while to wake up and recognize that nothing readily available today, which include the whole idiotoc hybrid concept and eve more idiotic electric car, can com close to the technology economy and pleasure of Dr Disels 100 + year old invention.
We are all going to pay for the Hybrid falacy and the exceedingly high battery costs both in repairs and disposal. These technologies are stop gap measures forced on the automakers by a government unwilling to ever tell the truth about anything and merely attempt to stir up the continuously more suceptible and less educated masses . Hydrogen is the answer till then with no compromise and great glee its Turbo Diesel with massive torque , all the way.
Actually, by the time I left Europe, and that was several years ago, 80% of the cars on the road were diesels. Last year I was in the UK, and there 90% of the cars were diesels – and mostly German, which greatly surprised me.