Diesel engine

<p>The diesel engine, named after the German engineer <a href="/facts/Rudolf_Diesel/N9LXK47e">Rudolf Diesel</a>, is an <a href="/facts/Internal_combustion_engine/Ju4BXzj0">internal combustion engine</a> in which <a href="/facts/Combustion/ohQoWj8z">ignition</a> of <a href="/facts/Diesel_fuel/lm71xc19">diesel fuel</a> is caused by the elevated temperature of the air in the cylinder due to <a href="/facts/Mechanics/A3yHLQA5">mechanical</a> <a href="/facts/Compression_(physics)/2wwcVmM0">compression</a>; thus, the diesel engine is called a compression-ignition engine (CI engine). This contrasts with engines using <a href="/facts/Spark_plug/Y9lG10hg">spark plug</a>-ignition of the air-fuel mixture, such as a <a href="/facts/Petrol_engine/oj3XzkQU">petrol engine</a> (<a href="/facts/Gasoline/lcnxq5BS">gasoline</a> engine) or a <a href="/facts/Gas_engine/gNBvJFGg">gas engine</a> (using a gaseous fuel like <a href="/facts/Natural_gas/9MYQ7NAP">natural gas</a> or <a href="/facts/Liquefied_petroleum_gas/bw6trakm">liquefied petroleum gas</a>).
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Diesel engine open-in-new

Diesel engine