Dieselbrændstoffet

Dieselbrændstoffet, often called diesel, is a liquid fuel derived from petroleum. It is primarily used in diesel engines, which are a type of internal combustion engine. Unlike gasoline engines that use spark plugs to ignite the fuel-air mixture, diesel engines rely on compression ignition. This means the air in the cylinder is compressed to a very high temperature, and then the diesel fuel is injected, causing it to ignite spontaneously.

The production of diesel involves fractional distillation of crude oil, separating it into various components based on their boiling points. Diesel fuel typically falls within a specific boiling range, making it distinct from gasoline and other petroleum products. It has a higher energy density than gasoline, meaning it contains more energy per unit volume, which contributes to the fuel efficiency often associated with diesel engines.

Diesel fuel is composed of hydrocarbons, with a higher proportion of heavier, longer-chain molecules compared to gasoline. Its properties, such as cetane number, indicate its ignitability. A higher cetane number means the fuel ignites more readily under compression. Additives are often incorporated into diesel fuel to improve its performance, such as cold-flow properties to prevent gelling in low temperatures, lubricity enhancers, and detergents.

Globally, diesel fuel is a significant energy source, powering a vast range of vehicles from passenger cars and trucks to buses, trains, and ships, as well as agricultural machinery and industrial generators. Environmental concerns related to emissions, particularly particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, have led to the development of cleaner diesel formulations and advanced exhaust aftertreatment systems.