What if I tell you there are more than five various uses of diesel fuel? Of course, there are! In this article, I am going to reveal several ways usages of diesel fuel and some of its benefits to the global economy.
Diesel fuel is a combustible liquid used as fuel for diesel engines. Its uses include Road Transportation, Sea Transportation, Power Generation, and many more that will be discussed later in this article.
Top Five Uses of Diesel Fuel
One of the few combustibles that keep the world’s economy moving, diesel fuel, serves several purposes. Some of the many uses of diesel fuel include:
- Road Transportation
- Sea Transportation
- Rail Transportation
- Electricity Power Generation
- Heavy Equipment and a few more.
Diesel fuel plays a predominant role in the global transportation industry as well as power generation. A vastly used petroleum product, diesel fuel, is indeed an indispensable commodity that strengthens the world economy and improves people’s standard of living.
Unlike premium motor spirit, diesel oil is not only cheaper but also does not require much refining.
Brief Explanation of the Uses of Diesel Oil
Road transportation: The conventional oil for powering commercial vehicles used in transporting goods from one place to the other is diesel oil. For example, most of the vehicles used in moving raw materials from sources to factories and from factories to warehouses make use of diesel-powered engines.
Also, the use of diesel oil is not limited to goods carriers as it extends to most commercial buses. Examples of diesel-powered vehicles include heavy and light trucks, buses, fuel tankers, and so on.
Sea Transportation: International merchants transport goods from one country/continent to the other through ships/tankers but, such activities wouldn’t have been possible without diesel oil. What about yachts and boats? They all make use of diesel fuel.
For the generation of electric power: Diesel-powered generators serve as an alternative source of electricity supply to many organizations and industries. The importance of these generators cannot be overemphasized reason being that they are the ultimate alternatives in times of emergencies. For example, hospitals and manufacturing industries need them to run during government electricity power outages.
For Military Operations: Imagine how catastrophic it would be to fuel military trucks with gasoline? That will sure be self-destructing. The military makes use of diesel fuel for their tanks to reduce the risk of explosions during their operations. The reasons for using diesel trucks and tanks in military operations is that they are reliable and the less flammability of the fuel is a way of protecting soldiers against avoidable harm.
Heavy Equipment: Do you know that some companies cannot function without diesel? Of course, there are! Without any doubt, construction companies, mining, agriculture, and several industries depend on diesel fuel for their heavy equipment.
Without diesel oil, there is no way a farmer’s tractor will function, and the same thing goes with industries that depend on heavy equipment for their operations.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DIESEL FUEL?
As I mentioned earlier, diesel is an indispensable commodity that keeps the global economy moving. Without further ado, let me highlight some of the numerous benefits that it offers the world.
Cost-Effectiveness: Diesel fuel is more economical when compared to gasoline. It doesn’t burn fast when compared to the latter.
Fewer Emissions: It doesn’t release many pollutants in the air.
Less Particulate matters: The amount of hazardous solid and liquid particles such as dust, pollen, smoke, etc. released in the air are minimal.
Higher Fuel Efficiency: Diesel engines generally achieve greater fuel efficiency than petrol (gasoline) engines. In other words, premium motor spirit burns faster when compared to diesel.
Less Volatility: With a flashpoint ranging from 100 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, diesel is less volatile. It doesn’t change or evaporate rapidly as much as gasoline and gas. It is one of the major by-products of crude oil that ignites by the mixture of hot air compressed in the cylinder.
Less Risk: Using diesel fuel is safer than using gasoline, gas, etc. It doesn’t expose one too many dangers that are common with explosive substances.
High Mileage: Vehicles, ships, trains, etc. that use fuel oil travel a long distance in contrary to what is obtainable with gasoline engines.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF DIESEL FUEL?
- High Viscosity: Diesel is of high viscosity, which tends to increase at a lower temperature or in winter. At this point, it becomes jelly.
- Messiness: Diesel fuel is thicker and darker. When spilled, it evaporates slowly, which makes it easier for dirt and dust to settle on it due to its viscosity.
- Noise Pollution: Diesel engines make more noise than petrol engines, this is as a result of the way the fuel provides energy as well as the refining process.
- Smog: Diesel indeed releases less carbon dioxide to the environment, but rather, it generates more organic compounds and nitrous oxide that cause smog. It releases haze intensified by smoke as well as other atmospheric pollutants.