What are the applications of diesel engines?
3 Answers
Various ground transportation vehicles (such as cars, tractors, diesel locomotives, etc.), machinery in mining, petroleum, construction, and engineering sectors, agricultural machinery, forestry machinery, and power stations extensively use internal combustion engines as their power source. Below are relevant introductions: 1. Water transportation: Can serve as the main and auxiliary engines for inland and marine vessels. In aviation, some small civil aircraft still use internal combustion engines for power. 2. Wide usage: Internal combustion engines are also widely used in military equipment, such as tanks, armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, heavy weapon tractors, and various surface ships and submarines, where they are extensively utilized.
Having driven semi-trailer trucks for twenty years, diesel engines are the standard in our line of work. Large trucks and buses almost exclusively use them—that raw power at startup can effortlessly haul tens of tons of cargo up a slope. I still remember running the Qinghai-Tibet route, where gasoline engines gasped for breath in high-altitude conditions, while diesel engines remained steady, thanks to their high torque and fuel efficiency. A friend at a bus company also praised them for being cost-effective and durable. Expanding on that, heavy-duty forklifts and cranes in port freight operations also rely on diesel engines, handling containers with ease. With modernization, newer truck engines are much quieter and have better emission controls, making long hauls both fuel-efficient and reliable. For daily maintenance, just check the oil and filters regularly. In short, the transportation industry can't do without these heart-of-the-machine engines.
Having spent fifteen years in shipyards, I can attest that diesel engines are vital for vessels—freighters, ferries, and fishing boats all rely on them as the core of propulsion systems. Despite the harsh challenge of seawater corrosion, their robust materials ensure longevity under heavy loads. Take the large yacht engine I serviced last year: after 100,000 operating hours, it was still functional. In maritime transport, diesel engines outperform in stability amid rough seas. Their role extends to naval applications too, commonly powering auxiliary systems in submarines and patrol boats. Technological upgrades, like adding after-treatment systems to reduce black smoke emissions, are now standard. Maintenance requires vigilance against salt corrosion, with regular flushing being critical. Their ubiquity in marine navigation is undeniable—without them, global shipping would collapse. Their reliability is unmatched.
