Diesel Fuel and Gasoline
Petroleum refining is a multiple step process; it transforms crude oil into useful products such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), gasoline, petrol, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel oil and fuel oils:
- 0 to 4 hydrocarbons are gases (methane, propane, butane)
- 4 to 8 hydrocarbons are gasoline or benzenes
- 8 to 12 hydrocarbons are diesel fuels, jet fuels, kerosene & home heating oils
- 12 to 16 hydrocarbons are lubricating oils
- 16 hydrocarbons and above are bitumen found in asphaltic materials
Crude oil is a mixture of different oil products, which are boiled in a furnace at 400°C.
Diesel Fuel requires less refining (usually cheaper at the pump) and is heavier and oilier, allowing it to lubricate more. It evaporates more slowly (higher boiling points than water) and can be compressed more.
Diesel is used to power a wide range of vehicles including automobiles, boats, trains, farm equipment and construction equipment.
