What Is A Diesel Engine

Construction machinery plays an important role in the construction of modern society. As the source of power for construction machinery, diesel engines are favored for their high efficiency, durability, and reliability. In this article, MyMROmarts will discuss what is a diesel engine, how does a diesel engine start, and does a diesel engine have a spark plug. Learn what is a diesel engine and how they are used in construction machinery.

What Is Diesel Engine

What is a diesel engine? A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses compression combustion to convert diesel fuel into energy. Push the piston to move to generate power. The heavy duty diesel parts are composed of diesel engine cylinder block, crankshaft, piston, valve, fuel injector, and so on.

Diesel engines have higher thermal efficiency and fuel economy than gasoline engines. This means they are able to convert fuel energy into power more efficiently. And provide higher output torque with lower fuel consumption. Therefore, in large construction machinery such as excavators, bulldozers, and alternator sets. Diesel engines became the power plant of choice.

How Does Diesel Engine Start

1. Before starting, it must be ensured that there is sufficient diesel fuel in the fuel supply system. There should be enough fuel in the fuel tank. And the fuel filter should be clean to avoid impurities from entering the injector.

2. Diesel engines are usually equipped with a diesel starter motor, which provides initial rotational force through electricity to help start. When the operator starts the mechanical equipment, the starter motor turns the crankshaft. So that the engine is in the normal working position.

3. In case of a cold start, preheating is necessary. The preheating unit will heat the cylinders before the engine starts. Increases the temperature of the air in the cylinders so that it is easier to ignite the diesel. The warm-up time usually depends on the ambient temperature and the type of engine.

4. Once the warm-up is complete, the diesel starter motor continues to crank the engine. Make the piston generate high pressure in the cylinder. Diesel fuel is injected into high-temperature and high-pressure air by injectors. Due to the high temperature and high-pressure conditions, the diesel fuel will spontaneously ignite, pushing the piston to move.

Does A Diesel Engine Have Spark Plugs

The ignition process distinguishes a diesel engine from a petrol engine in a significant way. A spark plug or ignition system is not necessary in a diesel engine. Diesel engines, on the other hand, rely on the fuel's spontaneous ignition under conditions of high temperature and pressure.

In a gasoline engine, the ignition system ignites the air-fuel mixture by generating a spark through a spark plug. This makes the engine work. The diesel engine injects diesel fuel directly into the cylinder under the condition of high temperature and high pressure in the diesel engine cylinder block. Spontaneous combustion is induced by utilizing the high temperature generated by compression combustion. This autoignition process eliminates the need for an ignition system, making diesel engines simpler and more reliable.

The diesel engine is an indispensable source of power in construction machinery. Its high efficiency, durability, and reliability make it widely used in the field of large construction machinery. During start-up, the diesel engine starts by warming up and compressing the ignition. And it doesn't need spark plugs like gasoline engines. By understanding the working principle, starting method of the diesel engine and what is a diesel engine, we can better understand and use this important power device.