Diesel Engines Vehicles Thermodynamics Edit Topics

Thermodynamically, why are diesel engines used in heavy vehicles?

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25 ANSWERS

Aditya Pathak, Thermal Engineer

Answered Mar 5, 2015

There are quite a few reasons I could think of:

i. Diesel, as a fuel, has slower combustion characteristics as compared to petrol. So, for a given
power, they produce higher torque at low speeds, which is the primary requirement of a heavy
engine.

ii. Diesel engines employ higher compression ratios; so the peak pressures and temperatures
reached are higher as compared to petrol engines, which in turn requires the engines to be heavy
and robust.

iii. Also, for the same maximum pressure and temperature, the efficiency of a theoretical Diesel
cycle is higher as compared to the Otto cycle.

iv. If we try to use petrol in bigger-sized engines, it might lead to too much of knocking (because of
their pre-ignition).
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Debashis Mishra, studied Mechanical Engineering

Answered Sep 30, 2015

IC engines don't operate on thermodynamic cycle as the working fluid enters the system at one
state and leaves it at another state.
So,to make situations simple we consider an ideal cycle to analyze the performance.

Diesel being long chained hydrocarbons combust over a period of time.

We know that the compression ratio in diesel engines of the order of 16:1 to 24:1.So under such
high pressure the ignition of diesel continues till such pressure is maintained.

If you observe a diesel engine,the stroke and the connecting rod and crank webs would be quite big
compared to a petrol engine of same capacity.This is only to produce high torque.

Now,in a diesel cycle the combustion takes place at constant pressure.What does that mean?You
must be knowing that diesel is quite viscous compared to petrol.Inside the combustion chamber
each atomized drop of diesel needs to be in vaporized under pressure and temperature to make it
ignite.
But when the piston moves up to build pressure and the combustion process starts its not that all
the injected diesel gets burn at once.The fine vapor ignites first and then flame propagates to other
injected fuel.
Simultaneously the piston is also moving and as soon as it reaches TDC it starts moving down,so
pressure even starts decreasing with increasing volume.But as diesel is still left in the combustion
chamber which ignites and this compensates with the loss in pressure towards end of the
combustion process making it almost a constant pressure combustion process.

But in actual cycle this doesn't happen.

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Vinayak V. Nair, Diesel is bad, but good.

Answered Jul 10, 2016

Diesel engines produce better torque than petrol engines.

Now, why torque is required in heavy vehicles?

Torque is the rotational force transmitted to the crankshaft. In other words, higher rotational force
helps in pulling heavy loads. The biggest haul trucks used in mining industries are equipped with
V20 diesel engines to provide better torque to carry heavy loads with proper acceleration.

Diesel burns gradually due to its fuel property of being non-volatile, unlike petrol which is volatile.
Gradual burning helps in transmitting better torque and get better fuel efficiency.

Stroke length of diesel engines are also higher than in petrol engines, even that helps in producing
better torque.

The initial gear ratios of heavy vehicles are around 5:1 to 6:1 which is one of the reasons why trucks
and heavy vehicles are able to produce high torque.
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 Ethan Tan, Operations at Tatas Equipment (2010-present)
Answered Aug 12, 2017

Torque is one of the main considerations when vehicles or machinery are designed to use diesel
engine. High torque is needed to move heavy loads. While Torque is defined as a measure of how
much force acting on an object causes that object to move. The higher torque comes from the need
for a higher compressing ratio needed for compression ignition. To achieve the higher compression
ratio a longer stroke is required. The longer stroke comes from a greater crankshaft offset. This
offset gives greater torque.

Another aspect is that diesels can make tremendous torque at very low RPM. Very simply put, more
fuel equals more torque when everything else is kept the same. A diesel does not have throttle
plates and draws in the maximum amount of air on every stroke. In a diesel the amount of fuel
added is what controls the power. The throttle controls how much fuel is added. This means that a
diesel always runs lean. At idle the engine uses hardly any fuel. This lean mixture allows for the
addition of large quantities of fuel even at low RPM. A gasoline engine on the other hand always has
to keep the fuel mixture at optimal stoichiometric. This need to keep the mixture correct means
that to get more fuel the engine needs to rev to higher RPMs. This means that a gasoline engine
makes its torque at much higher RPM than a diesel. This high end torque characteristic makes a
gasoline engine hard to drive necessitating constantly keeping the RPM high.

The only real draw back to this torque production is a limited RPM. This is compensated by a gear
box with lots and lots of gear.

If a gasoline engine was used it would have to be much larger. The much larger engine would make
for greater fuel consumption.

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Akshay Vaishnav, Engines: Source of Power since over a Century.

Answered Oct 18, 2015

Originally Answered: Why diesel engines are used in heavy vehicles?

The answer somewhat lies in the question. Particularly heavy vehicles are meant to carry heavy
load and transfer this load from one place to another place. Now for this you need a vehicle with an
engine which substantially helps you in economical way of course. So diesel engines with high
compression ratio are used over gasoline engines.

When you are carrying such a heavy load (for instance a train or a truck or a bus), you are relying
more on power rather than the torque. Because you need to carry such a huge amount of load and
for that you require more power, not more torque.

Light and medium vehicles (like a bike or a car) don't possess huge amount of load, they need to
move faster in shorter time, so they need more torque(comparatively).

Also due robustness of diesel engines and high compression ration they are preffered over gasoline
engines. The injection pressure in some cases is ~200 bars, which is directly affected by power and
efficiency of the engine.

Cost of the fuel might be the other reason. As we know, in India, cost of diesel is lower than
gasoline, so for mass transportation of goods or passengers, the cost of diesel is low.

Thanks
Akshay.
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Rahul Patil
Answered Oct 18, 2015

Originally Answered: Why diesel engines are used in heavy vehicles?

Heavy vehicles like trucks and buses have been used with petrol engines in the past, in the USA.

However, petrol engines tend to have less low rpm torque than diesels, which was especially true in
naturally aspirated engines. Petrol engines are also less efficient than diesel , the latter using upto
45% of its energy derived from combustion. In the long run, this leads to lot of savings on running
cost for commercial vehicles, which need to run more as an income generating asset.

Diesel engines are bigger, heavier built due to the higher compression ratio and higher vibration
levels. That also makes them more fit for heavier vehicles where the weight and noise/vibration of
the engine is less of a problem, because the bigger vehicle has more mass to damp/spread these
vibrations.

Private car owners preferred petrol engines for the refinement and power, so diesel engines saw use
mainly for commercial vehicles. It was not until the 1990s-2000s that diesel engine technology
matured to an extent that many mainstream car owners were happy enough with the diesel
engine's NVH (noise-vibration-harshness) levels, to be acceptable in passenger cars.

For really big applications - like railway locomotives and ships, petrol engines need to be so big that
designing powerful and effective spark ignition is problematic. Here the slow burning diesel with
its more constant ignition temperature is more effective. Ships and locomotives do not have as
much engine size concerns, they aren't intended to do the kind of speeds like cars, so engine size
and weight is less of a problem - but fuel efficiency was, considering how much they travel. So
locomotives and ships have really huge engines - the size of a small house, displacing dozens of
liters for locomotives, and hundreds of liters in ships. A ship diesel engines have as many as 24
cylinders, with each piston 3 feet or more, across but running only a few hundred rpm at peak. 100-
150rpm is not uncommon. Imaging that engine running 24 hrs a day, several days at a stretch. That
sort of fuel requirement in petrol vs diesel alone means more fuel carriage to complete the journey.
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Lakshminarayana K S, Professor & HOD, Mechanical Engineering Department at APSCE;

VTU (2017-present)
Answered Nov 2, 2017
Originally Answered: Why does a heavy vehicle have a diesel engine?
Heavy vehicle have a diesel engine, mainly because of the following reasons (you may take the help
of the above figures):

[1] High torque is needed to move heavy loads which the diesel engine can form tremendous torque
at very low RPM compared to petrol engine.

[2] Diesel engine produces good efficiency for the same power of petrol engine, due to its high
compression ratio.

[3] Diesel engine comes under Compression Ignition engine, which requires robust design
compared to petrol engine.

Source of pictures: Google Images.

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Sonal Kumar Singh, works at Facebook

Answered Aug 6, 2017

Originally Answered: Why all heavy vehicles are made with Diesel engines?

In a diesel engine, air and the fuel are infused into the engine at different stages, as opposed to a gas
engine where a mixture of air and gas are introduced. Fuel is injected into the diesel engine using
an injector whereas in a gasoline engine, a carburetor is used for this purpose. In a gasoline engine,
fuel and air are sent into the engine together, and then compressed. The air and fuel mixture limits
fuel compression, and hence the overall efficiency. A diesel engine compresses only air, and the
ratio can be much higher.

Also,the diesel engine is much more efficient and preferable as compared with gasoline engine due
to the following reasons:

1. Modern diesel engines have overcome disadvantages of earlier models of higher noise and
maintenance costs. They are now quiet and require less maintenance as compared with gas
engines of similar size.

2. They are more rugged and reliable.

3. There is no sparking as the fuel auto-ignites. The absence of spark plugs or spark wires
lowers maintenance costs.

4. Fuel cost per Kilowatt produced is thirty to fifty percent lower than that of gas engines.

5. An 1800 rpm water cooled diesel unit operates for 12,000 to 30,000 hours before any major
maintenance is necessary. An 1800 rpm water cooled gas unit usually operates for 6000-
10,000 hours before it needs servicing.

6. Gas units burn hotter than diesel units, and hence they have a significantly shorter life
compared with diesel units
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Vivek Vetal, PGPM from Indian Institute of Management Indore (2020)

Answered Jul 10, 2016

Originally Answered: Why diesel engines used for heavy vehicles?

1. Diesel and petrol have almost same calorific value at room temperature. But the density of diesel
is greater than petrol thus gives 15% more energy per unit volume on combustion.
2. Diesel engines produce much more torque (you can say the pushing force) than petrol ones,
which is more required for heavy vehicles.

3. Diesel engines are more fuel efficient than petrol engines.

4. Diesel is an oil where petrol is a spirit. Diesel is less volatile as well as less inflamable. Thus safer
to carry in large quantity.

5. In my country, India, government gives a large subsidy in diesel, it is almost ₹20/litre

($1.1/gallon) cheaper.

(Image source: Google Images)

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 Justin Hohn, Engineering Leader, Fortune 200 Company (2008-present)
Updated Dec 15, 2017

Thermodynamically, the higher compression ratio of a diesel engine allows for a much higher
expansion ratio as well, making the engine have a higher Carnot efficiency.

The flatter pressure curve of diesel (due to slower combustion) means you have a higher BMEP for
the same peak pressure. This produces more torque at low engine speed. This allows for taller
gearing and for better practical fuel economy as well.

The efficiency benefit of a diesel engine is only partly due to the fuel having higher lower heating
values (BTU/gal). It is also due in part to the properties of the engine burning the fuel.

When HCCI gasoline/petrol engines become common, many of the advantages of diesel engines
will show up in those engines as well, without using diesel fuel.
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Eva Bell
Answered Oct 3, 2016

Heavy vehicles have heavy engines and one of primary requirements of heavy engines is to receive
higher torque at low speeds.
Diesel engines as compared to petrol engines apply higher level of compression ratios.
Thirdly, whether it is peak pressure or temperature, both reach higher level again as compared to
petrol engines.
So, this is why, heavy vehicles need diesel engines.
You should always look for a right fit, whether it is your clothing or engine for vehicles. What if you
buy a small size Tee for a big size person? That would not speak for your intelligence. Similarly,
diesel engines are for heavy vehicles and model diesel engines for aircrafts. Take a look at Redfin
Engines where you can find a range of small diesel engines.
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Anonymous
Answered Mar 11, 2015

Diesel engines are suited to conditions where a large amount of torque is required over a long
period of time, reliably and fuel efficiently.
Petrol engines are suited to conditions where power is required over a wide RPM band for short
periods and without concern for fuel efficiency.

A friend of mine lives off-grid, the power for his home comes from a diesel generator. He knows that
the generator is supposed to be switched off and serviced every 1000 hours (roughly every 6 weeks)
but he's never done it. In fact he doesn't know when the generator was last powered down, he has
only lived there for 8 years and it was running when he moved in. Every 3 months a truck comes, re-
fills his diesel tank and that's it.

The biggest challenge with diesel engines in road transport is that power is delivered over such a
narrow RPM band that heavy, complex multi gear transmissions are required to cover Openthe wide
In App
range of road-speeds required. In very large vehicles (eg trains or mining vehicles) the diesel engine
drives aHome
generator which drives an electric motor negating the
Answer need for a transmission. You
Notifs
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Neeraj Khandekar
Answered Nov 2, 2017

Diesel engines as compared to gasoline engines for a given power , produce more torque at lower
speeds which is the primary requirement of a heavy engine.

Diesel engines are designed to work at higher temperatures as compared to gasoline engines .

They have a higher compression ration , higher turbo pressure , and greater heat content of fuel.

Continous fuel injection is the probable reason for big torque numbers in a diesel engine.
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Akash Shinde, Curious

Answered Oct 20, 2015

Originally Answered: Why diesel engines are used in heavy vehicles?

Heavy vehicles such as trucks, tractors, heavy locomotives require large torque to tow the heavy
load...diesel engines have high torque..

Diesel engines have larger stroke length means more crank diameter..more crank diameter can
easily churns out high torque...
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Shaleen Bhardwaj, lives in Gurugram, Haryana, India (2012-present)

Answered Nov 1, 2017

Originally Answered: Why does a heavy vehicle have a diesel engine?

Open In App
Firstly, Diesel has slow combustion characteristics as compared to petrol. So, they produce higher
torque at low speeds, which is the primary requirement of a heavy engine.
Home Answer Notifs You
Secondly, Diesel engines have higher compression ratios; this in turn produces high pressures and
temperatures which leads to the requirements of the engines to be heavy and robust.

Thirdly, for the same maximum pressure and temperature, the efficiency of a Diesel cycle is higher as
compared to the Otto cycle.
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Nirjhar Jain, B.E Mechanical Engineering & Cars and Automobiles, Lakshmi Narain
College of Technology, Bhopal (2019)
Answered Nov 1, 2017

Originally Answered: Why does a heavy vehicle have a diesel engine?

Generally, vehicles of big sizes have diesel engines as the size of the vehicle is big,therefore weight
is also more and so high amount of torque is required to move the weight which is provided by
diesel engines.

Hope this helps!

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Mohit Shah, studies at Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya Engineering College (2019)

Answered Jan 10, 2017
Originally Answered: Why all heavy vehicles are made with Diesel engines?

In short ,

The expectation from heavy vehicle are that, that can carry high loads ,the speed is not much
concerned .

The diesel engines provides the higher torque and less speed so that they can fulfill is application .

So the diesel engines are used in heavy vehicles .

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Kalyana Jarajapu, Doing Something (1900-present)

Answered Nov 1, 2017

Originally Answered: Why does a heavy vehicle have a diesel engine?

The calorific value of diesel fuel is roughly 45.5 MJ/kg (megajoules per kilogram), slightly lower
than petrol which is 45.8 MJ/kg. However, diesel fuel is denser than petrol and containsabout 15%
more energy by volume (roughly 36.9 MJ/litre compared to 33.7 MJ/litre)
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Anubhab Kundu, B.Tech EE Student, and trying to gather as much knowledge

Answered Nov 2, 2017

Originally Answered: Why does a heavy vehicle have a diesel engine?

Diesel engine has a high compression ratio. So a heavier flywheel is required to store the kinetic
energy. Thus a diesel engine gives high amount of torque, starting and running. This is ideal for
heavy vehicles like trucks and buses.
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Victor Garcia da Silva, Bs.C Mechanical Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of

Rio De Janeiro (2019)
 Answered Mar 30

Originally Answered: Why is diesel engine used in heavy load?

Because it is more suitable for slow speed engines (piston speed).

Then you can have a bigger stroke and greater torque.

Also Diesel engines have a better efficiency due to constant pressure burn, higher compression
ratio, the bigger stroke and slower speed.
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Abhishek Patra, Gadgets Fanatic and Petrolhead by birth.

Answered Nov 2, 2017

Originally Answered: Why does a heavy vehicle have a diesel engine?

To put it very simply, since it’s a heavy vehicle, the engine has to pull more weight and for that
torque is needed. Torque is the forte of a diesel engine.
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Akash Bhattacharya, Consultant at Burdwan Social Welfare Organization for People's

Awareness & Nature (BSWOPAN (2012-present)
Answered Nov 2, 2017

Originally Answered: Why does a heavy vehicle have a diesel engine?

1.Torque (Trucks or any other require a great amount of torque to make these vehicles Move)

2.Lower Cost ( a Can of diesel will cost a bit tad more in the US but that actually satisfies the overall
miles you can cover per gallon of diesel

3.Higher Miles per gallon of diesel as compared to Petrol ( consider having a petrol truck you would
need to stop at least three times more at a fuel stop than compared to a diesel .

These are the basic reasons actually.

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Ashish Kumar, Event Coordinator at Engifest, DTU (2016-present)

Answered Nov 2, 2017

Originally Answered: Why does a heavy vehicle have a diesel engine?

Diesel require compression for combustion and compression will be higher in heavy veichle as the
parts are heavy in heavy-duty veichle. If we use petrol in a heavy veichle it will ignite faster and will
be easily consumpted so we have to use diesel in a heavy veichle.
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Bryan Fullerton, I started out my working career working on big diesel engines.
Answered Mar 31

2 main simple answers for your question. Diesels put out pretty high torque at low rpm. Torque is
what gets the job done and gets the load moving.
While heavy loads may need torque to get moving there is a side benefit. That benefit is mileage.
Because the diesel operates at fairly low rpm it uses less fuel.
A fully loaded semi gets around 6 miles per gallon of fuel. If you were to build a gas engine to the
same cubic inches you might get 1 mile per gallon or worse.
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Abhinav Chopra, studied at Boys High School

Answered Mar 5, 2015

Thermodynamically, diesel engine of a similar capacity as a gasoline engine is capable of producing

more power, that's why.
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