Dísel

Dísel is the term used in some languages to refer to diesel fuel, a liquid hydrocarbon used in compression-ignition engines. The name derives from Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the compression-ignition engine.

Most diesel is produced from petroleum by refining. Contemporary petrodiesel is formulated to have very low sulfur content. Biodiesel (FAME) is produced from vegetable oils or animal fats and can be blended with petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel is produced by hydroprocessing and is chemically similar to petroleum diesel.

Diesel engines operate by compressing air to a high temperature and injecting fuel, which ignites without a spark. They are efficient and provide high torque, making them common in trucks, ships, and many types of industrial equipment. Energy density is roughly 42–45 MJ/kg, and the cetane number is a key parameter that measures ignition quality.

Emissions from diesel combustion include nitrogen oxides and particulates. Standards reduce sulfur content; aftertreatment such as selective catalytic reduction and diesel particulate filters further lower pollutants. Lifecycle emissions depend on feedstock and production methods, with biodiesel and renewable diesel potentially offering lower net greenhouse gas impacts than fossil diesel.

Spelling and usage vary by language. In Spanish, the common form is diésel; other languages may render it differently, and occasional sources use dísel as an alternative. The term is ultimately a loanword derived from the name of inventor Rudolf Diesel.