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Types of combustion fuels

Fuels used in cars can be divided into several main types, each with different properties and applications. Here are some of the most commonly used types of fuel:

Gas

It is a commonly used fuel used in petrol engines. It can have different octane numbers, which affect its efficiency and resistance to engine knocking. Depending on the country, petrol can have different trade names, such as unleaded petrol, white spirit, premium petrol, etc.

Diesel fuel

It is a fuel used in high-pressure engines, such as diesel engines. It has a higher energy density than gasoline and is mainly used in higher-powered vehicles and commercial vehicles.

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

LPG is a liquefied gas that is mainly composed of propane and butane. It is used as an alternative to petrol and diesel in some vehicles. It is a common fuel in some countries due to its lower cost and lower emissions.

Is it worth refueling with premium fuel?

If your car manufacturer recommends using a higher octane fuel or if you have a car with a high-compression engine, filling up on premium fuel may be beneficial for performance and engine protection. However, for typical cars and everyday use, a lower octane fuel may be sufficient.

It is also worth considering the price difference between premium and regular fuel, as premium fuel is usually more expensive. If you do not need to use premium fuel according to the manufacturer's recommendations or you do not notice any significant differences in engine performance, it may be more economical to fill up with cheaper fuel.

In summary, the value of filling up on premium fuel depends on many factors, and each decision should be made individually, taking into account your needs, car specifications, and personal preferences.

How is gasoline made?

Gasoline production begins with the refining of crude oil. In the first step, the crude oil is heated, which causes it to separate into different parts (fractions) based on their boiling points. The lighter fractions, such as gasoline, evaporate first.

Then, catalytic cracking is carried out, where the heavier parts of the crude oil are broken down into lighter molecules that can be used to produce gasoline. This process takes place at high temperatures using special catalysts. The next step is hydrocracking, which is similar to cracking, but with the addition of hydrogen. This allows for better quality gasoline and the removal of impurities such as sulfur.

The lighter hydrocarbons are then converted into aromatics in a catalytic reforming process. These compounds increase the octane rating of the gasoline, meaning the fuel is more efficient and of better quality.

Next comes alkylation, where small molecules are joined together to create larger ones that improve the quality of the gasoline. Isomerization is also carried out, where simple hydrocarbons are converted into their isomers with a higher octane number.

Finally, the gasoline is cleaned of unwanted substances such as sulfur. Special additives are also added that improve the properties of the gasoline, for example, they prevent impurities from settling in the engine.

Through these stages, raw crude oil is transformed into ready-to-use gasoline that meets quality standards and is safe for the environment.

How is diesel fuel made?

Diesel production, like gasoline, begins with the refining of crude oil. The process involves several key steps:

First, the crude oil is heated and fed into a distillation column, where it is separated into different fractions based on boiling point. Diesel oil is one of the heavier fractions, separating from lighter fractions, such as gasoline, and heavier fractions, such as lubricating oils.

After distillation, the diesel fraction can be subjected to various refinement processes to improve its quality. One of the most important processes is hydrodesulfurization, which removes sulfur and other impurities. This process takes place in the presence of hydrogen and catalysts, which allows for meeting strict environmental standards regarding the sulfur content in fuel.

Another key process is catalytic cracking, which can be used to further break down heavier fractions into lighter, more valuable hydrocarbons. During this process, heavier hydrocarbon molecules are broken down at high temperatures using catalysts, increasing the amount of diesel fuel obtained.

Diesel fuel can also be hydrocracked, which, like catalytic cracking, breaks down heavier fractions of crude oil into lighter ones. This process also takes place in the presence of hydrogen, which allows for obtaining high-quality fuel.

Finally, the resulting diesel fuel is filtered and purified to remove any remaining impurities. Depending on quality requirements, special additives such as antifoam agents, stabilizers and low-temperature improvers may be added, ensuring better fuel efficiency under various conditions.

Through these production stages, crude oil is transformed into high-quality diesel fuel that meets quality and environmental standards, ready for use in diesel engines.