Volvo explains all the different sources of fuel that can keep our diesel engine powered.The diesel engine is extremely versatile. It can be powered by virtually any organic material that has sufficient flammable properties for diesel engine combustion. However, some of the fuels have different properties which require some form of modification to the engine or surrounding components. Volvo provides an overview of these different fuels, as well the implications of their use in a diesel engine. Logging-on has summarised these fuels below.
- Fossil diesel fuel – Diesel oil distilled and refined from petroleum. This is the conventional diesel fuel used.
- Biodiesel – The collective name of biodiesel is Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME). It can be produced from many different vegetable or animal oils such as rapeseed oil, soya oil, palm oil and even cooking oil. They have lower carbon dioxide emissions than conventional diesel, but higher nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
- Synthetic diesel – This diesel is produced synthetically through the gasification of fuels such as natural gas and coal. Emissions of NOx and particulates are lower than conventional diesel; however synthetic diesel has a lower energy content.
- Dimethyl Ether (DME) – A synthetic fuel, DME has a carbon-hydrogen-oxygen molecular bond. It is produced from natural gas, but research is investigating using a raw material such as black liquor (a bi-product of our pulp and paper industry). DME has very low emissions.
- Methane gas – Either natural or biogas can be used in the engine in compressed gas or liquid form. It is usually only used to assist in the combustion process, as it does not ignite like diesel. Emissions are also lower than fossil diesel fuel.
More detail can be found in the article, which can be accessed at www.volvotrucks.com