00:00we usually see in general that the cars we use in our daily lives run on gasoline and ethanol
00:06but when it comes to trucks and heavy machinery diesel ends up
00:10standing out but why do we use diesel and heavy machinery
00:21hey engineering enthusiasts today we're going to unravel a mystery that you might have wondered
00:27about when seeing a giant excavator in action or a tractor working in the field why do these imposing
00:34machines which move mountains and transform landscapes almost always use diesel as fuel
00:40it's not by chance and the answer involves a combination of physics chemistry and engineering
00:46but what exactly is diesel and what are its main characteristics
00:50which make them so special diesel also known as diesel fuel is a type of fossil fuel derived from
00:57crude oil just like gasoline however it goes through a different refining process resulting in a slightly
01:05different chemical composition one of its most notable characteristics is its density diesel is
01:11denser than gasoline which means that for the same volume it contains more mass and a higher energy
01:20density it is one of the main reasons it is preferred in high demand applications
01:25in addition diesel has a higher flashpoint which makes it less volatile and under certain conditions
01:33safer to handle and store than gasoline but how does this difference in energy density between diesel
01:40and gasoline translate into an advantage for heavy machinery imagine you need to carry a really heavy
01:47backpack you'll need to eat to be able to carry it so if you have a small snack or a
01:53full meal
01:54which one will give you more energy for the task if you said the full meal you're right it's similar
02:00with fuels
02:02because it's denser a liter of diesel contains about 10 to 15 percent more energy than a liter of gasoline
02:10this means that to do the same amount of work the diesel engine needs to burn less fuel by volume
02:17for machines that operate for long hours moving huge loads or digging tons of earth this energy efficiency
02:25is a decisive factor directly impacting runtime and operating costs it's like having a fuel tank that
02:34gives you more kilometers or more hours of work with the same amount of fuel now another extremely important
02:40point is torque and for these heavy machines low-end torque is crucial for performance so how does diesel
02:48stand out in this regard well torque is the twisting force the ability of an engine to turn something or
02:55to
02:55apply a rotational force in heavy machines like tractors excavators or cranes what matters isn't the top speed
03:04but rather the ability to move or to lift huge loads from a standstill or at very low speeds diesel
03:11engines are
03:12designed to generate higher torque at lower engine speeds meaning they don't need to rev high or accelerate a lot
03:21this is essential for starting off with a heavy load climbing a steep hill with a loaded truck or digging
03:27a deep hole the ability to deliver this brute force immediately and consistently not requiring the engine to
03:35operate at high rpms is one of the biggest advantages of diesel and one of the main reasons for choosing
03:40it
03:41but do this greater efficiency and torque really translate into fuel and operational savings in daily use
03:48absolutely yes the combination of diesel's higher energy density with the ability of diesel engines to
03:56generate high torque at low rpms results in superior fuel efficiency especially under load while the
04:05gasoline engine may need higher rpms to reach its peak power consuming more fuel in the process the diesel
04:14engine delivers the necessary power more effortlessly and economically for companies that operate fleets of
04:21heavy machinery where fuel consumption represents a huge portion of operational costs this efficiency
04:28translates into substantial savings over time fewer stops for refueling and better use of each liter of fuel
04:36mean more productivity and lower cost per hour of work and are diesel engines really more durable and
04:43robust than gasoline engines some people say that diesel engines last for the entire life of the vehicle
04:50the truth is yes and that's one of the key truths about them diesel engines are built to withstand much
04:58harsher working conditions they operate with higher compression ratios than gasoline engines
05:04which requires more robust and heavier components like thicker engine blocks stronger crankshafts and stronger
05:12connecting rods this built to last construction means that diesel engines generally have a longer life
05:18span and require less maintenance over their lifetime even under continuous and intense use
05:25so where can we see diesel superiority in action in our daily lives the examples are countless and are everywhere
05:33think about the gigantic excavators that shape the terrain at construction sites the tractors that prepare the soil
05:40plant and harvest the cranes that lift structures dozens of meters high the cargo trucks that transport goods across the
05:50country the buses that take us to work
05:53and even in power generators which ensure supply in remote locations or in case of a power grid failure
05:59in all these scenarios the need for brute strength durability and efficiency under heavy loads makes the diesel engine the
06:07obvious choice
06:08it is an engine that drives the economy construction and agriculture being the backbone of many industries
06:16and what makes diesel so reliable for continuous operations and under the heaviest loads
06:22reliability is a critical factor in any industrial or construction operation
06:27an idle machine means lost money diesel engines are designed to operate for long periods often 24 hours a day
06:35seven days a week without breaking down their robust construction combined with the ability to maintain
06:41consistent performance under maximum load makes them ideal for environments where downtime is not an option
06:48whether in a mine a busy port or on a farm the diesel engine's ability to run non-stop delivering
06:56the necessary power
06:57power is invaluable they are true workhorses designed to take a beating and keep working
07:04when other engines would have already given up however does diesel only have advantages
07:11or are there challenges and limitations we need to consider of course there are no technology is perfect
07:18and diesel has its weaknesses historically diesel engines are known for being noisier and because of that
07:27pollutant emissions have been a significant concern
07:34diesel engines tend to emit more nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than gasoline engines
07:40however modern engineering has made advances to mitigate these problems
07:45technologies such as diesel particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction systems that use DEF
07:53they have drastically reduced emissions making current diesel engines much cleaner and more efficient than those
08:03of previous generations even so the initial cost of a diesel engine is usually higher and maintenance
08:09although less frequent can be more expensive when needed not to mention the biodiesel they add to our diesel
08:17here in brazil where i've already made a very friendly video here on the channel saying how incredibly
08:23awful the stuff they put in tanks is and how it screws users over if you've made it this far
08:29and enjoyed the video
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08:59have you ever stopped to think about all these reasons which diesel powered heavy machine impresses
09:05you the most leave your comment below share your experiences and share this video with your friends and family
09:12over here are two interesting videos you should watch to expand your knowledge and satisfy your curiosity
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09:25that's it engineering lovers take care and i'll see you in the next video
