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News, facts, and comments on the coming revolution for piston-engine aircraft.

News of October 06, 2008

Of diesel versus gasoline fuels...

We answer here a question from a reader, question which we read quite regularly, and comes from incorrect information about what is a diesel engine:
Q: I've been reading about the advantages that diesel will bring to general aviation. We can extract more energy from one gallon of diesel than one gallon of avgas, they are expected to be FADEC, turbo normalized, as well as a few other items. Lycoming just came out with the iE2 electronic engine which they say in the future will be able to burn Avgas, Auto fuel, and heavy fuels (diesel and Jet A I'm assuming). But I have two questions.
A: You are right that diesel extracts more energy from one gallon of jetfuel than a gasoline engine from one gallon of Avgas. This is due to higher efficiency in terms of how much mechanical energy is extracted from thermochemical energy available. But this is not the sole advantage of diesel by far. I think that the first advantage is the almost constant specific fuel consumption (Lbs of fuel per HP-hour) which allows extending the range dramatically when reducing speed in an emergency. See our previous papers on this. I do not expect the new Lycoming to burn diesel fuel as well as gasoline.
Q1. There are after market FADECs for my continental engine that can be installed by GAMI and Aerostance. Is that all that is needed to switch to Mogas or Diesel.
A. Absolutely not. To switch from any kind of gasoline to diesel you need to replace your engine/engine mount/heat exchangers/propeller/engine instruments combine by a completely new one including a diesel engine.
Q2: If the new engines can use Diesel or Jet A, but are not used in a diesel cycle engine, do you know if I can still get the extended range using Diesel fuel as oppose to Avgas.
A. A diesel engine can only be used in a diesel cycle. It means: Compression ignition (no plugs, no magnetos...), very high compression ratio. And it can only use a diesel fuel such as motordiesel, JetA, or biodiesel fuel.

posted at 3:58 AM

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Mission Statement

Every month: news, facts, and comments on the coming revolution for piston-engines aircrafts between 130 and 400 HP: Retrofitting a diesel engine to run on Jetfuel or Kerosene, reduce Gallons/Hour by some 30%, eliminate ignition systems (magnetos, spark plugs) and their problems, eliminate mixture control, increase TBO to 2,400-3,000 hours, increase performance between 6,000 and 12,500 ft., and drastically reduce Operating Costs.

The letter is intended for piston engines aircraft owners, manufacturers, fleet operators and FBOs, re-manufacturers of engines for these aircrafts, manufacturers of engine components and ancillaries, and all professionals acting in decisions of engine exchange or refitting at TBO, in North and South America, Pacific Rim, African continent, and all parts of the world were Avgas, Mogas, Kerosene and Jetfuel are available.

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