How does diesel fuel combust?
The combustion of the diesel fuel will result in the formation of hot gases, and these will drive the piston down on the power stroke of the engine. If diesel fuel ignites in open air, many of the same reactions will occur and many of the same compounds will be formed. But because of the “open” nature of this combustion, there will be many more partial combustion byproducts, including more partially burned hydrocarbons, which will appear as a thick, dark smoke.
