Potential passenger car demand for diesel fuel and refining implications

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7260589

Barry, E G; Ramella, A; Smith, R B

Development and efficient utilization of our natural energy resources are receiving national attention. One major user of energy is the transportation industry. In 1975, the United States Government enacted the Energy Policy and Conservation Act which has a section aimed at improving automobile efficiency. One approach being considered to reduce passenger car energy demand is the use of diesel engines instead of gasoline engines. Results are presented of a study exploring the potential passenger car demand for diesel fuel and the implication of this demand on the petroleum industry processing requirements. In addition, an evaluation of the relative economy, performance and emissions of diesel-powered cars versus gasoline-powered cars is presented. An estimate of the net energy utilization in terms of both miles traveled per barrel of crude and crude savings for various degrees of diesel engine penetration in the automobile market is given. For example, if in the distant future diesels comprise 35 to 40 percent of the car population, there could be a 9 to 10 percent increase in passenger car mileage at constant crude oil consumption or a 3/sup 1///sub 2/ to 4 percent reduction in crude oil usage at constant passenger car mileage. It is also noted that the refining industry will incur costs associated with the shift to processing larger quantities of diesel fuel and that this may result in a reduction in the current cost advantage of diesel fuel compared to gasoline.

• OSTI ID: 7260589
• Report Number(s): CONF-770205-33
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400 -- Petroleum-- Processing
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320203 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Land & Roadway
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330800* -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
AUTOMOBILES
COST
DEMAND FACTORS
DIESEL ENGINES
DIESEL FUELS
ENGINES
EXHAUST GASES
FORECASTING
FUEL ECONOMY
GASEOUS WASTES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
PERFORMANCE
PROCESSING
REFINING
VEHICLES
WASTES