Ron Kotrba Provides Diesel Insights

Diesel Article Review "Milestones in Diesel Technology"

Posted October 19 2010 12:06 PM by jason.thompson
Filed under: Diesel Engines, Diesel Opinions

Ron Kotrba of Biodiesel Magazine wrote this article called, "Milestones in Diesel Technology."

The main point of the article is to trace the major technology breakthroughs that have been associated with the diesel engine. Kotrba concludes with, "Emissions regulations of the past 20 years sparked a profound progression in diesel technology. EPA puts regulations into place, and engineers figure out how to meet them." I agree with this statement because its the challenges that we face that make us better.

The picture is of Prosper L' Orange who developed the first diesel pre-chamber used in IDI engines according to the Biodiesel Magazine article.

Reader Comments:

1. Hey Jason, I have a few questions.

1.) Dont we want to do more work with fewer moving parts to fail and suck up power??

Why do we use 6, 8, 10, 12, etc., etc. cylinder diesel engines instead of 1, 2, or 3 cylinder engines?

Take the 5.9L Cummins, why not use a 1, 2, or 3 cylinder engine with the same displacement??

Would it not be feasable? Would it not have the same power density? Would it just be to large to use?

Would a giant one or two cylinder engine work ever in a real world application?

2.) I was told by someone in my family who used to work with diesels back in the day (he's one of those people who thinks he knows everything, but really is kind of an idiot..) that diesels "clatter" because there parts are fitted together so "loosely".

I thought that statement was completely bogus! I always thought it was the manner in which the fuel ignites and burns in a compression ignition engine. I mean take an old 50's, 60's diesel they clatter like a thunder storm (I love it!). Take a new 6.7L Powerstroke, you can barely hear it unless your with in 10ft of the engine.. (to quite for me).

Some gasoline related questions (I know..AHHH!!):

1.) That same guy also says gasoline engines have exhaust gas temps. that are much higher than diesels, like 2000* and thats why mufflers and exhaust wear out.

Is that true or is it complete nonsense??

-Any clarification or input would be appreciated!!

SmokenGun - Posted October 19 2010 08:52 PM

2. I dont know anything about that stuff, but look at the size of that dudes melon! It drug me in here, so now i have to read it.

linmup - Posted October 19 2010 09:42 PM

3. and those gull wing eyebrows

linmup - Posted October 19 2010 09:43 PM

4. what in the hell is he looking at?

linmup - Posted October 19 2010 09:44 PM

5. @ linmup, LOL I just noticed the pic. Look at the noggin on that guy! I hope he is smart to make up for the fact he looks like a troll, lol.

SmokenGun - Posted October 20 2010 10:45 AM

6. that damn pic has had me laughing all day. people are starting to look at me funny

linmup - Posted October 20 2010 01:31 PM

7. Diesels are more noisy because of the combustion. (If it was tolerances the engine would make noise if you spun it with an electric motor?)

Diesels spray fuel into a hot chamber and the reaction is what they call a diffusion flame. The fuel needs to mix with the air or oxygen (heterogeneous mixture or different air fuel ratios). Gas engines have a pre-mixed gas oxygen mixture (homogeneous consistent air fuel ratios).

The diffusion flame of a diesel is surrounded by explosion flames and that is what makes the noise. Newer diesels use pilot injections or a few little events of fuel to lessen the impact of the fire reaction.

Gasoline engines have lower compression ratios this means they have bigger combustion chambers with more surface area to suck up heat. This means less power to the piston and more heat to the surrounding areas. This makes their EGT's hotter compared to diesels.

I don't think the exhaust wears out faster because of the heat at least compared to the increased moisture. Gas engines need to keep a 14.7:1 air fuel ratio in order for their cats to work and heat down. They use fuel to cool the EGT this is the opposite of diesels by not sure why.

jason.thompson - Posted October 20 2010 03:17 PM

8. Thanks for the info Jason!! Appreciate it as always! All as I thought, but I didnt want to assume to much right away even though I was 99% sure I was correct. Family (annoying relatives..) makes you second guess yourself a lot..

Any thoughts on my first question? Large displacement, few (1,2, 3) cylinder diesel engines versus what we use now??

SmokenGun - Posted October 20 2010 08:37 PM

9. I used to have a 87 Polaris Star 250 cc snowmobile one cylinder. It was a dog.

My friend had a 70's Yamaha 250 cc one cylinder and it was fast.

I'd think of it this way. Imagine you had one person pushing on a merry go round. Let's say he was a big dude. The power would not be too smooth.

Now imagine you had about 8 little kids pushing on that same merry go round the power would be smoother.

I think a V8 is less likely to stall and provide smooth power but like you said more moving parts suck.

Engine configuration is important but fuel and air management is more important.

jason.thompson - Posted October 22 2010 09:11 AM

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