Specific Weight of Diesel Fuel, Its Density and Value Table
Diesel fuel, also commonly called solyarka in Russian, is a liquid product used as fuel in diesel internal combustion engines. This material is obtained from gas oil and kerosene fractions during direct oil distillation.
This product is intended for use as fuel in diesel engines operating in the range of 600 to 1000 revolutions per minute. The main consumers of diesel fuel are freight road transport, railway transport, military equipment, water transport, agricultural machinery, diesel generators, and some types of light vehicles.
In colloquial speech, this material received the name "solyarka" from the German word Solaröl, which means "solar oil". This term was used for heavy fractions obtained during oil distillation.
When working with diesel fuel, it is important to take its quality into account. This can partly be assessed by such a parameter as the specific weight of diesel fuel.
Diesel Fuel Specific Weight Table
Since diesel fuel is a complex substance, it is not possible to calculate its specific weight independently in field conditions. These calculations are made using a special device called a hydrometer. However, the average specific weight is known and corresponds to the values shown below in the table, which helps simplify calculations and determine such a parameter as the weight of diesel fuel.
| Material | Specific weight (g/cm³) | Weight of 1 m³ (kg) |
| Summer diesel fuel | 0,86 | 860 |
| Winter diesel fuel | 0,84 | 840 |
Specific Weight Calculations
To calculate specific weight, it is necessary to define what this concept means. Specific weight is the ratio of the weight of the substance under consideration to its volume. It is expressed by the formula: y=p*g, where y is specific weight, p is density, and g is gravitational acceleration, which under normal conditions is a constant equal to 9,81 m/s².
The results are usually measured in Newtons divided by cubic meter and denoted as N/m³.
Diesel Fuel Density
The density of any substance is the amount of its mass in kilograms that fits into one cubic meter. This is a variable value that depends on many factors. The main one is temperature. The higher the temperature of diesel fuel, the lower its density. In practice, this means that diesel fuel with unsuitable density negatively affects the operation of a diesel engine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 1 m³ of diesel fuel weigh?
According to the table, 1 m³ of summer diesel weighs about 860 kg, while winter diesel is about 840 kg. For modern road diesel, density is often specified at 15 °C and may be around 820-845 kg/m³.
Why does diesel density depend on temperature?
When diesel fuel is heated, it expands and its density decreases. When it cools, volume decreases and density rises, so precise measurements are usually corrected to a standard temperature.
How do you convert litres of diesel to kilograms?
Multiply the volume in litres by the density in kg/l. For example, 100 litres of fuel with a density of 0.84 kg/l will weigh about 84 kg before applying any temperature correction.