RV Fuel Issues & Prices - Post 'Em Here!
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Forum Discussion
Lindsay Richards
When looking at fuels one must watch the units. Gasoline has more BTUs per LB because it has more hydrogen in the fuel and hydrogen has 62,000 BTUs / LB verses carbon at 14,500 BTUs/LB. However those fuels with more carbon are denser and because of the increased mass have more BTUs per gallon because there are more pounds of fuel in that gallon. If memory serves me gasoline is about 115,000 BTUs / gal and diesel is about 138,000 BTUs / Gal. The other factor is a diesel engine being a heat machine derives greater efficiency by running at a higher temperature. Gasoline engines were 15% thermally efficient to a diesel being 25%. Advances in technology increased the gasoline engine to above 20% I believe and diesels to 30%. Automotive engineering is not my speciality so if anyone knows the numbers please correct me.
When looking at fuels one must watch the units. Gasoline has more BTUs per LB because it has more hydrogen in the fuel and hydrogen has 62,000 BTUs / LB verses carbon at 14,500 BTUs/LB. However those fuels with more carbon are denser and because of the increased mass have more BTUs per gallon because there are more pounds of fuel in that gallon. If memory serves me gasoline is about 115,000 BTUs / gal and diesel is about 138,000 BTUs / Gal. The other factor is a diesel engine being a heat machine derives greater efficiency by running at a higher temperature. Gasoline engines were 15% thermally efficient to a diesel being 25%. Advances in technology increased the gasoline engine to above 20% I believe and diesels to 30%. Automotive engineering is not my speciality so if anyone knows the numbers please correct me.
