You probably know that diesel fuel and regular gas are different from each other in many ways, including engine operation, power, longevity in vehicles, energy output, etc. But where most people see the difference is at the gas pump, with different pricing and even different pumps altogether. Also, diesel pumps tend to look a bit dirtier than gasoline pumps. That may have something to do with the fact that diesel has a much slower rate of evaporation, meaning that minor spils and drips from an open pump nozzle will take a long time to evaporate, leaving oily spots behind that attract wind blown dust, making the area around the pump more likely to get dirty.
Diesel pumps rely on an electrical or diesel motor to create suction within the system, drawing fuel from storage tanks into the system through various valves and then on into the pump itself. They may also rely on filters to remove impurities from usable fuel and help protect internal components within the tank storage system. These systems are usually connected by a network of piping that allows for fuel to be moved between locations and vehicles.
At a gas station, a diesel pump is usually green and has larger nozzles to distinguish it from the standard blue nozzles used to fill cars with gas. It is important to practice good pump safety and make sure you use the right type of nozzle for your vehicle, as it could be dangerous or costly to put diesel in a car that only requires gas. If you’re unsure of whether your fuel is diesel or gasoline, try a simple test by running the pump for five seconds while holding a fuel pressure gauge. It should deliver a specific number of ml per second, which can be converted to gallons per minute if needed.