SEDL / STP / STP413-EB / STP46059S

Diesel Power, Economy, and API Gravity

Lindeman, R. P.
Am. Oil Co., Chicago, Ill.

Lawrence, D. K.
Am. Oil Co., Whiting, Ind.

Wagner, T. O.
Am. Oil Co., Whiting, Ind.

Pages: 10    Published: Jan 1967

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Abstract

Whether fuel density influences power and economy of diesel engines enough to be an important fuel specification has caused much controversy. To resolve this question, power and fuel consumption of five engines and three trucks were carefully measured with diesel fuels ranging in gravity from 29 to 45 deg API. In all engines at all speeds and loads, maximum power declined only 0.3 per cent, and fuel consumption increased only 0.3 per cent per degree increase in gravity. We conclude that only small variations in power and economy result from differences in gravity among commercial fuels.