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The other difference is Diesel engines ignite the fuel by compressing it rather than with a spark. (Also Diesel is the engine type not the fuel http://en.wikip
by elnate 13y ago
The other difference is Diesel engines ignite the fuel by compressing it rather than with a spark.
(Also Diesel is the engine type not the fuel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_engine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_engine)
- Peroni 13y agoWell they both work on compression, diesels simply rely on it more than gasoline engines. Diesel engines work on what's called adiabatic compression heating. In other words, the compression causes the air to heat to a point higher than the ignition point of the fuel. Diesel engines usually use glow plugs to compensate for the lack of adiabatic compression heating when the engine is cold.
- adolph 13y agoSee also the awesome fire piston, a relatively ancient technology using the same principles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_piston https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_piston
- ams6110 13y agoyep the original diesel engine was designed to run on coal dust, unlike the modern light fuel oil diesels (kerosene, jet-A, home heating oil, and diesel fuel are all very close to the same thing, differing mainly in additives).