Course: BFM 202 Biodiesel Production

Lecture

The Diesel Engine and Diesel Fuel Basics
Credits
BFM 202 Biodiesel Production Unit 2 Lecture has been adapted from "ENGY 131 Unit 2 Commentary: The Diesel Engine" by Southeastern Illinois College.

ENGY 131 Biodiesel Production course content by Southeastern Illinois College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Except where indicated otherwise.

Unit 2 The Diesel Engine

The Diesel Engine and Diesel Fuel Basics

This is probably one of the most exciting chapters we study. It compares
the chemistry of biodiesel and diesel fuels by describing how each
reacts in an operational diesel engine.
It is from this information that we can truly begin to discuss biodiesel
feedstock. Each feedstock has its own particular chemistry that
translates directly to the quality of the final biodiesel fuel produced.
Knowing the basics of the diesel engine is critical to comparing the
similarities and differences between biodiesel and petroleum-based diesel.

Although Europe uses the diesel engine in over 50% of its passenger
cars, that trend has never been adopted in the U.S. which operates less
than 1% diesel passenger vehicles. The slow adoption in the U.S. may be
traced back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. The diesel fuel was poor
quality. It was not until 2006 that we saw low-sulphur petrodiesel.

Another reason may be attributed to the same time period and the
introduction of the Oldsmobile 5.7 litre diesel car. Rather than design a
new diesel engine from scratch, they used a made-over gasoline engine
that was unreliable and broke down often giving diesel cars a bad name.
Today's engines are reliable, more powerful, cleaner and use less fuel than
gasoline engines.

Uses for Diesel Engines

To understand diesel and biodiesel fuels, it is necessary to be familiar
with the basic operating principles of the diesel engine. The diesel engine
is able to operate in demanding environments, is capable of high torque
conversions for heavy industry, and efficiently turns fuel to work.
- Diesel engines are able to withstand the rigors of
  - lifting beams
  - digging
  - drilling
  - paving
  - moving earth
- 67% of farm equipment depends upon diesel engines
- Diesel engines are used in
  - barges
  - boats
  - trains
  - tractor-trailer rigs
- Diesel engines are the backbone of the American military since the fuel is
  - less likely to succumb to engine stall
  - less flammable
  - less explosive
- Other common uses include
  - public and school buses
  - stationary electrical power
  - back-up power for remote villages, large buildings, institutions, and hospitals