Why Are Americans So Anti- Diesel?

[Calin]

The diesel engines have no "ignition". While there is a incandescent plug, it is used to heat the air that enters in the cylinders. The diesel fuel is injected in small droplets and burns in contact with the air (both because of the temperature in the cylinders, result of the high compression, and because of the high O2 partial pressure). The nitrogen oxides are a product of the very high temperatures in the diesel engine (normal gasoline engines, with compression ratios at some 10:1 have no such problem. However, very high compression engines also have this problem).

Calin

 

[phantom309]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

Originally posted by: Wahsapa

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: BullyCanadian
What about those Hydrogran Fueled cars?

They seem good, but there is one thing of concern, if someone in a hydrogen fuel car gets into a bad accident, will the hydrogren explode?

It certainly could, but it shouldn't really explode any more readily than a 15 gallon tank of gasoline, I don't think.

Hydrogen isn't a viable alternative unless we start building nuclear power plants to produce electricty to produce hydrogen. That could change, though.

Energy, energy, energy. Oil is virtually our only source of it. Unfortunately, we can't just pull it out of our asses.

Bio-Diesel


and about the 'emissions' issue...
if a Golf TDI can be sold in LA then it can be sold anywhere

u know how much we'd have to grow to use biodiesel right? its not practical

Especially since most of the fertilizer and pesticides the US farm industry depends on are made from......petroleum. It's been said that modern agriculture is the science of turning oil into food.

 

[Howard]

http://www.unh.edu/p2/biodiesel/article_alge.html

 

[imported_Phil]

I'm driving a 2004 Renault Scenic DCi 100 (1.5litre turbodiesel, 75bhp). Over the last 1,500miles, I've averaged 58.2mpg (according to the trip computer). That's pretty damned good.

Oh, and not once have I seen black smoke, even when redlining. Yes, I have been looking for it.

 

[phantom309]

Originally posted by: Howard
http://www.unh.edu/p2/biodiesel/article_alge.html

cool article, thanks.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Exhaust is very very polluting, and smells real bad. Not that normal gasoline isnt just as polluting. It just looks bad when you have a ton of dark colored smoke emitted into the air. It is also expensive.

However, on the other hand, Diesel is more efficient because it burns at a higher temperature ~ think theoretical Carnot heat engine where temp difference is the driving force for higher efficiency.

Diesel is more efficient primarily because of the compression ratios - about 20 for a typical TD engine, about 8 for a standard petrol engine.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
I'm not a Honda freak by any means, but that's far from true infact.
I've seen some quick hondas without crazy mods.

Please point me to a Civic that can break 15 seconds without the use of:

- Engine swap or heavy boring
- Forced induction
- Nitrous oxide

and I'll gladly STFU. Until then, I call BS.

- M4H

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: fisher

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: moonshinemadness
Even though diesel costs the same as petrol now the MPG still means is cheaper to run than a petrol

"Equivalent" isn't an incentive to switch over someone who's comfortable with gasoline. Hybrids have the advantage of not needing a whole new "fuel philosophy," but at the cost of a lot of driving excitement. A Shockwave-Endorsed muscle car will rip a 1/4 mile faster than these things will accelerate to 60.

- M4H

where do you see equivalent?

"Even though diesel costs the same as petrol now"

if you're getting gas for 1.70/g and you get 18 mpg and you can get diesel for 1.70/g but you get 40 mpg how is that the same?

If you're getting gas for 1.70/gal and you're getting 40mpg (Civic), how is it different?

- M4H

 

[OCNewbie]

Not sure if this was already addressed, didn't read the entire thread. Can you get more Diesel fuel per gallon of crude oil than you can gasoline? Or is it the same?