What fuel do diesel locomotives burn?
2 Answers
Diesel locomotives burn diesel fuel. The following is an introduction to diesel engines: 1. Introduction: Diesel locomotives use diesel engines as the primary power source, driving the wheels through a transmission device. 2. Regulations: According to the type of internal combustion engine on the locomotive, the vast majority of engines used on national railways are diesel engines. 3. Impact: The fuel (diesel) burns in the cylinders, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy output by the diesel crankshaft. However, this energy is not used to directly drive the wheels. Instead, it is converted through a transmission device into mechanical energy suitable for the traction characteristics of the locomotive, which then drives the locomotive wheels to rotate on the tracks through the running gear. Diesel locomotives are the most widely used. In China, the term 'diesel locomotive' conventionally refers to diesel-powered locomotives.
Car internal combustion engines mainly burn gasoline or diesel. After driving for so many years, I've noticed that ordinary cars mostly use gasoline, while some SUVs or trucks more commonly run on diesel. Gasoline engines use spark ignition, offering quicker acceleration when driving; diesel engines rely on compression ignition, which is more fuel-efficient but may have slower starts. Fuel selection is crucial—using the wrong type can damage the engine, such as filling a high-performance car with low-octane fuel. Nowadays, there are alternatives like ethanol-blended fuels or natural gas, which are more environmentally friendly but have fewer refueling stations, affecting convenience. Monitoring fuel consumption while driving is important, as a fuel-efficient car can save significant expenses annually. In short, gasoline-powered cars are the most common for daily use, but the key is to choose the right fuel based on the vehicle type.
