View source for Diesel vs LPG / Propane / Natural Gas comparison table


MMBtu = million Btu , LPG = liquid petroleum Gas , LPG can consist of all butane or a combination of propane and butane.

Natural gas can be supplied as CNG (compressed natural gas) or as low-pressure gas from the utility.
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Comparison'''
|'''Diesel'''
|'''LPG / Propane / Natural  Gas'''
|-
|'''ENVIRONMENTAL'''
|
* Rapidly changing emission standards reduce engine availability and  increases engine cost.
* Strict emission controls are increasing Diesel engine complexity  thereby reducing reliability and making maintenance more difficult.
* Diesel emits 161 lbs of CO2 per MMBtu.
* Diesel emits more soot and obnoxious odors.
* Very expensive cleanup cost on fuel  spills
|
* Environmentally clean fuel, engines  are rarely affected by change in environmental regulations.
* Clean exhaust ideal for use  near population centers.
* Propane emits 139 and NG 117 emits  lbs. of CO2 per MMBtu
* No spills requiring cleanup  costs
|-
|'''STORAGE, SHELF LIFE'''

'''TRANSPORTATON'''
|
* Diesel fuel has limited storage life and sometimes requires  additives. Transportation of Diesel to the site exposes the fuel to water  contamination which can damage the engine.
* Diesel engines require clean and moisture free fuel to operate  reliably.
|
* LPG and NG have an unlimited  shelf life which leads to greater generator reliability.
* During emergencies LPG may be  more readily available.
* Using vapor feed contaminants  remain in the tank.
|-
|'''ENGINE NOISE'''
|
* Due to compression ignition, Diesel engines produce higher noise  (knock) thereby requiring greater noise attenuation. Noise is a concern when  systems are installed close to population centers.
|
* Low operating noise of LPG  engine allows for deployment of engines in close proximity  to population centers and indoor facilities.
|-
|'''FUEL THEFT'''
|
* Diesel theft is a key factor increasing operating costs by 10% to  25%. In addition, the practice of diluting diesel fuel as a means of  pilferage leads to premature engine failure.
|
* LPG and NG are more difficult to steal, making these fuels ideal for all applications.
|-
|'''LIFE CYCLE COSTING'''
|
* Diesel engines are subject to damage (wet stacking) if run with light  loads.
* Quality Diesel engines will have a service life of 14,000 to 35,000  hours.
|
* The service life of a Toyota LPG  / NG engines is 60,000 to 90,000 hours.
* NG is lower in cost than  diesel.
* At many locations LPG is lower  in cost than diesel
|}