U.S. Energy Information Administration logo
Skip to sub-navigation

Glossary

This page has no sub-navigation. Skip to page content.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ

Browse terms related to these fuel groups:alternative fuels|coal|electricity|natural gas|nuclear|petroleum|renewable

Diesel fuel system

Diesel fuel system:  Diesel engines are internal combustion engines that burn diesel oil rather than gasoline. Injectors are used to spray droplets of diesel oil into the combustion chambers, at or near the top of the compression stroke. Ignition follows due to the very high temperature of the compressed intake air, or to the use of "glow plugs," which retain heat from previous ignitions (spark plugs are not used). Diesel engines are generally more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines but must be stronger and heavier because of high compression ratios.

Top