An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine, in which the combustion of fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in the combustion chamber which is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit.
In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high temperature and high pressure gases produced by combustion applies a direct force to several engine components.
The force is usually applied to the piston, turbine blades, rotor, or nozzle. These forces move components over long distances, converting chemical energy into useful kinetic energy and used to propel or drive any attached machine.
Generally, internal combustion engines consist of various types, but people in general recognize two types of various types of internal combustion engines, namely diesel engines and gasoline engines.
In this article, we will explain the difference between a diesel engine and a gasoline engine.
1. The Principle of the Work
There are differences in the working principle between gasoline engines and diesel engines. Gasoline engines generally work on the principle of the Otto cycle.
The Otto cycle is a thermodynamic cycle with a typical combustion process in the form of spark ignition. Gas mass is the main factor that triggers combustion in the Otto cycle.
In the otto cycle, the process is assumed to have a constant volume. The mass of gas that undergoes a change in this case is also known as the system.
In the case of the otto cycle, the effect is to produce enough net work from the system to propel the car and its passengers into motion.
Diesel engines work on the principle of the diesel cycle. The diesel cycle is the combustion process of a reciprocating internal combustion engine.
In the process, the fuel is ignited by the heat generated from the compressed air in the combustion chamber, then the fuel is injected. In contrast to the otto cycle, the diesel cycle is assumed to have a constant pressure.
2. The Carburetor
The carburetor is a device in charge of mixing air and fuel for an internal combustion engine in an air-fuel ratio suitable for combustion. Carburetors in gasoline engines are generally equipped with cylinders.
While the carburetor on a diesel engine is generally not equipped with a cylinder. Diesel engines generally use fuel injectors and fuel pumps to supply diesel.
3. The Cylinder Configuration and the Substances of it
In gasoline engines, fuel and air are fed together into the cylinders. The fuel and air are then compressed by the piston and ignited by the spark from the spark plug, so cylinders are generally equipped with spark plugs.
Whereas in a diesel engine, only air enters the cylinder, and fuel is injected after the air is compressed, so generally the cylinder is equipped with a Fuel Injector.
4. The Compression Ratio
The compression ratio is the ratio between the volume of the cylinder and the combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine at its maximum and minimum values. In gasoline engines, the compression ratio is generally 7:1, while in diesel engines the compression ratio is 16:1 .
5. The Generated Power
When viewed in terms of power, generally diesel engines produce much greater power than gasoline engines. So that diesel engines are generally used for heavy equipment such as trucks, etc.
6. The Flywheel
A flywheel is a cast iron, aluminum, or zinc disc mounted at one end of the crankshaft to provide inertia to the engine.
Inertia is the property of matter in which any physical body persists in a state of rest or uniform motion until acted upon by an external force.
Inertia is not a force, it is a property of matter. During the operation of a reciprocating engine, combustion occurs at different intervals.
The flywheel supplies the necessary inertia to prevent loss of engine speed and possible cessation of crankshaft rotation between combustion intervals.
In gasoline engines, flywheels are generally made light. Whereas in diesel engines, the flywheel generally tends to be heavier.
7. The Implementation
As previously explained, gasoline engines are generally used for light vehicles, such as cars and motorcycles. While diesel engines are generally used for heavy vehicles, such as trucks, trains, etc.
8. The Engine Battery
Engine battery is a rechargeable battery used to start a motor vehicle.
The main purpose of these batteries is to provide electric current to the electric powered starter motor, which in turn starts the chemically powered internal combustion engine that actually powers the vehicle.
In gasoline engines, the engine battery is very important to generate sparks. In diesel engines, the engine battery is used for lighting purposes only.
9. The Cost of Maintenance
The cost of maintenance on the gasoline engine is more expensive than the cost of maintenance on the diesel engine.
10. The Size of the Engine
The size of the engine on the gasoline engine is smaller than the engine size of the diesel engine.
11. The Type of the Fuel Used
Generally, gasoline engines have fuel with a much lower boiling point than diesel engines. This is because gasoline engine fuel generally consists of a low carbon chain (C4-C12).
While the diesel engine generally uses fuel with a much higher boiling point (C12-C20).
Because the carbon chain in diesel engines is much longer, these engines generally have a much larger energy supply than gasoline.