How Efficient are Engines: Thermodynamics and Combustion Efficiency
How efficient are engines? Combustion engines are stupefyingly inefficient. Most diesel engines do not even have a thermal efficiency of 50%. Of every gallon of diesel burned by a combustion engine, less than half of the energy generated becomes mechanical energy. That is to say, of the energy produ
What is a Turbo: Why Turbocharged Engines are Environmentally Friendly
Turbos, even diesel turbos, are associated with high rpm and rapid acceleration. It isn’t often that people talk about turbos in association with environmental consciousness and saving fuel. However, though it is true that turbos increase torque and acceleration, turbos are in fact technologies th
How Efficient are Engines: Compression Ratio & Thermal Efficiency
What Percent of the Thermal Energy Produced by Fossil Fuel Combustion Contributes to the Locomotion of a Vehicle? There is a conundrum with respect to the diesel-versus-gasoline-engine comparison. It is common knowledge in Europe, Asia, Australia, South and Central America — just about everywhere
What is a Catalytic Converter In Comparison to a Fuel Catalyst
How a Catalytic Converter Works and Why It Can Not Improve Fuel Efficiency A catalytic converter is one of the most common devices found on a vehicle. Whether it is a passenger vehicle or a light duty pickup; a heavy-duty pickup, dump truck or semi-tractor trailer; or a piece of heavy equipment, alm
What is Global Warming and What Does It Mean to Our Future?
What is the Definition of Global Warming; what does It Mean for Our Future; what We Can Do about It; and Is there Still Time? Global warming is one of those words that everyone knows, everyone understands the basic definition of, but very few people understand in any detail. Global warming is both a
Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Country: Who Produces the Most CO2?
In 2017, carbon dioxide around the world hit record highs. According to the International Energy Agency, “Global energy-related carbon emissions rose to a historic high of 32.5 gigatons last year, after three years of being flat, due to higher energy demand and the slowing of energy efficiency imp
Pros and Cons of Every Energy
Which Energies are Most Productive, Environmentally Friendly, and Sustainable There are pros and cons to every energy source, pros, and cons by which we judge the value of an energy source. Some energies produce more power than others. Some energy types pollute less than others. Some energy sources
What is Crude Oil Made Of? Or, What is Crude Oil? Or, What is Oil?
Fossil Fuel Components of Crude Oil and What Makes Them Different While the notion of a barrel of oil is just as common in everyday vernacular as the idea of a bottle of water, what crude oil is made of is a mystery to most people. “What is crude oil made of?” is the question […]
Why No Diesel Cars in the U.S.? And, Why is Diesel So Popular Abroad?
Diesel Cars are Popular in Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and Australia. Why Not in the United States? There are advantages to diesel cars and pickups that gasoline engines simply cannot match. At the top of the list of advantages to owning a diesel are two of the most important is
Diesel vs Gasoline Pickup: Fuel Mileage, Emissions, and Fun Comparison
The Pros and Cons of Diesel and Gasoline Pickup Trucks Compared For ranchers, farmers, construction workers, excavators, four-by-four and mudding enthusiasts, motorheads and women and men who simply love pickup trucks, there are very few topics as interesting to read or write about as engines. And,