How self-ignition temperature of petrol be compared to that of diesel?
How self-ignition temperature of petrol be compared to that of diesel? Correct Answer Higher
Concept:
Self-Ignition Temperature (SIT) is the lowest temperature at which a diesel/Petrol will ignite itself without the presence of a spark or flame.
The Self Ignition Temperature of Diesel is 210°C and that of Petrol varies from 247°C to 280°C.
The lower SIT of Diesel is the reason behind the absence of a spark plug in a diesel engine.
The temperature of the fuel-air mixture in a diesel engine running at 1:20 compression ratio can go as high as 700°C. Since this temperature is much higher than the Self Ignition Temperature, diesel automatically catches fire at 210°C.
Petrol engines have lesser compression ratios compared to diesel engines (1: 8 - 10) and they rely on spark plugs for the source of ignition.
Generally, for hydrocarbon fuel, the Self Ignition Temperature increases with decreasing pressure.