Q: what is the difference between diesel and petrol and why is diesel more expensive in South Africa than petrol? Is it because all the big trucks that transport all the goods all over SA use diesel and the government therefor will get more money that way?
A: Diesel and petrol/gasoline? Hydrocarbon chains- the Diesel is larger, more carbon core molecules than Petrol, has more energy when burned- about 10-15% more. Trying to remember - petrol highest fraction molecule is 12-15 carbon atoms while diesel is 17-19 carbon atoms- something like that. Gasoline/petrol vapor point somewhere around -2 C while diesel is about 100 degrees F/50C. Gasoline used in spark ignition engines, Diesel used in compression ignition engines. Diesel expense ? Demand from truckers is one reason. South Africa -(SASOL) had to use a coal to liquid process like Germany did in WW2 to make the diesel fuel a while back when embargoed under apartheid.
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