Diesel engines are combustion engines that use pressure as a trigger for diesel fuel explosion, while gasoline engines run on gasoline.
Currently we recognize two types of engines for vehicles, namely diesel engines and gasoline engines.
Diesel engines are combustion engines that use pressure as a trigger for diesel fuel explosion, while gasoline engines run on gasoline.
However, the use of diesel engines is still sidelined compared to gasoline engines. Even though the diesel engine also has many advantages.
How the Diesel Engine Works
In theory, How the diesel engine works are almost the same as a gasoline engine.
Both are internal combustion engines designed to convert chemical energy from fuels into mechanical energy or motion.
In short, this mechanical energy will move the piston up and down in the cylinder. The piston is connected to the crankshaft and causes a rotating motion to turn the wheels of the car.
Diesel engines use a four-stroke combustion cycle like a gasoline engine, where:
- Intake stroke – The intake valve opens, allowing air to enter and moving the piston down.
- Compression stroke – The piston moves back up and compresses the air.
- Combustion stroke – When the piston reaches the top, fuel is injected at the right moment and ignited, forcing the piston back down.
- Exhaust stroke – The piston moves back upward, pushing the exhaust resulting from combustion out of the exhaust valve.
The Advantages of Diesel Machine
In Indonesia, diesel engines are widely used in heavy transport vehicles such as trucks, and rarely used in private cars.
Even though the diesel engine has many advantages compared to gasoline-fueled engines. Here are some of the advantages of a diesel engine.
1. Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines
The thermal efficiency of a diesel engine can reach more than 40%, which is greater than a gasoline engine which is only 20-30%.
This is why this machine is very popular for use in large vehicles such as trucks.
2. At high altitudes, diesel engines have better power than gasoline engines.
This is because diesel engines have turbochargers, which pump air into the combustion chamber.
3. Diesel fuel has a high energy density
Diesel has a higher energy density than all the fuels used for transportation engines.
4. The best performance of a diesel engine when it is below 100 km per hour
Peak power is achieved when RPM is low, generally at speeds below 100 km per hour.