Other tests performed examine the vapor pressure, sulfur content, oxygenated compounds of the gasolines. Diesel is formulated from this mixture of larger hydrocarbons and is therefore much more oily and viscous. These larger hydrocarbons burn at higher temperature than that of gasoline and release more energy upon combustion. In the 1890 s a German by the name of Rudolf Diesel patented his idea for an engine that was more efficient than a gasoline powered engine. The diesel engine was much more efficient than other gasoline powered engines of the time.
More power is produced as the compression ratio increases.
The air in the combustion chamber compressed to such an extent that the heat generated ignites the diesel fuel without an external spark plug. Diesel fuel is injected directly into the cylinder of a diesel engine to make use of this unique combustion attribute. The Bureau s Lab tests the flash point of Diesel fuels to make sure that the fuel will not burn prematurely, causing decreased power and lowering fuel economies. Distillation tests of diesel fuels are run to ensure the fuel is mixed correctly and complete combustion will occur. The viscosity and sulfur content are also tested.