Mazut vs. Diesel: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024
Mazut is a heavy, low-quality fuel oil used in power plants and ships, while diesel is a lighter, cleaner fuel used in engines for vehicles and machinery.
Key Differences
Mazut, a heavy and viscous fuel oil, is commonly used in power plants and large industrial boilers due to its high energy content and lower cost. Diesel, on the other hand, is a lighter fuel with higher refinement, making it suitable for internal combustion engines in vehicles and machinery, offering better efficiency and cleaner combustion.
Mazut often contains higher levels of impurities and sulfur, leading to greater pollution and stricter environmental regulations. In contrast, diesel fuel undergoes more extensive refining processes to remove impurities, resulting in lower sulfur content and fewer emissions, making it more environmentally friendly.
In terms of storage and handling, mazut requires heating to remain fluid due to its high viscosity, complicating its transport and usage. Diesel, however, remains liquid at normal temperatures, simplifying its storage, handling, and usage in various applications.
Mazut's usage is more prevalent in regions where environmental regulations are less stringent and where cost is a significant factor. Diesel is widely used globally due to its versatility, efficiency, and compliance with stricter emission standards, particularly in transportation and machinery.
Comparison Chart
Quality
Heavy, low-quality fuel
Lighter, higher-quality fuel
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Common Usage
Power plants, industrial boilers
Vehicles, machinery
Environmental Impact
Higher pollution, more impurities
Lower pollution, fewer impurities
Handling Requirements
Requires heating to stay fluid
Remains liquid at normal temperatures
Regulatory Compliance
Less stringent regions
Strict emission standards globally
Mazut and Diesel Definitions
Mazut
A low-grade oil derived from crude oil distillation.
Mazut is often a byproduct of refining heavier crude oils.
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Diesel
A refined petroleum product used in engines.
Diesel engines are known for their fuel efficiency.
Mazut
A viscous fuel requiring heating to pump.
Mazut needs to be heated before it can be transported through pipelines.
Diesel
A fuel with lower sulfur content than mazut.
Modern diesel fuels meet stringent emission standards.
Mazut
A heavy fuel oil used primarily in power plants.
The power plant burns mazut to generate electricity.
Diesel
A versatile fuel used in transportation and industrial machinery.
Many trucks and buses run on diesel.
Mazut
A fuel with high sulfur content, contributing to air pollution.
Using mazut increases sulfur dioxide emissions.
Diesel
A fuel that ignites by compression in engines.
Diesel engines rely on compression ignition.
Mazut
An economical fuel choice in regions with lax environmental laws.
Mazut is commonly used in countries with fewer emission regulations.
Diesel
A cleaner alternative to heavier fuel oils like mazut.
Diesel produces fewer pollutants than mazut when burned.
Mazut
(petrochemistry) A heavy, low-quality fuel oil, used in generating plants and similar applications, or broken down to produce diesel.
Diesel
A diesel engine.
Diesel
A vehicle powered by a diesel engine.
Diesel
Any of various fuels used to power diesel engines, especially one derived from petroleum.
Diesel
To continue running after the ignition has been turned off, as when an open throttle supplies fuel to an engine that is still sufficiently hot to ignite it.
Diesel
To drive a diesel-powered vehicle
We dieseled through the countryside.
Diesel
To refuel a diesel-powered vehicle. Often used with up.
Diesel
A fuel derived from petroleum (or other oils) but heavier than gasoline/petrol. Used to power diesel engines which burn this fuel using the heat produced when air is compressed.
Diesel
(countable) A vehicle powered by a diesel engine.
Diesel
A rider who has an even energy output, without bursts of speed.
Diesel
Snakebite and black (a drink).
Diesel
(slang) A particular cannabis hybrid.
Diesel
To ignite a substance by using the heat generated by compression.
Diesel
(automotive) For a spark-ignition internal combustion engine to continue running after the electrical current to the spark plugs has been turned off. This occurs when there's enough heat in the combustion chamber to ignite the air and fuel mixture without a spark, the same way that heat and pressure cause ignition in a diesel engine.
Diesel
A type of internal-combustion engine in which the air drawn in by the suction stroke is so highly compressed that the heat generated ignites the fuel (usually a heavy oil), the fuel being automatically sprayed into the cylinder under pressure. The Diesel engine has a very high thermal efficiency.
Diesel
German engineer (born in France) who invented the diesel engine (1858-1913)
Diesel
An internal-combustion engine that burns heavy oil
FAQs
What are the main uses of mazut?
Mazut is mainly used in power plants, industrial boilers, and ships.
What is diesel fuel?
Diesel fuel is a refined petroleum product used in engines for vehicles, machinery, and generators.
Is diesel used in cars?
Yes, diesel is commonly used in cars, particularly in diesel engine vehicles.
Which fuel is more cost-effective, mazut or diesel?
Mazut is generally more cost-effective but has higher environmental and handling costs.
Which is more environmentally friendly, mazut or diesel?
Diesel is more environmentally friendly due to its lower sulfur content and cleaner combustion.
What is mazut?
Mazut is a heavy, low-quality fuel oil used primarily in power plants and large industrial boilers.
Can mazut be used in diesel engines?
No, mazut is not suitable for diesel engines due to its heavy and viscous nature.
How does the energy content of mazut compare to diesel?
Mazut has a higher energy content per gallon, but diesel is more efficient in combustion.
What are the main uses of diesel?
Diesel is used in vehicles, industrial machinery, and backup generators.
How does the sulfur content in mazut compare to diesel?
Mazut typically has a higher sulfur content compared to diesel.
Why does mazut need to be heated?
Mazut needs to be heated to reduce its viscosity and allow it to flow and be pumped.
What are the storage requirements for diesel?
Diesel can be stored at normal temperatures without special heating.
What are the main impurities in mazut?
Mazut contains higher levels of sulfur, metals, and other contaminants.
What are the storage requirements for mazut?
Mazut requires heated storage to maintain fluidity.
Which fuel is more efficient for transportation?
Diesel is more efficient and suitable for transportation.
What makes diesel fuel cleaner than mazut?
Diesel undergoes more extensive refining, reducing sulfur and other impurities.
Is mazut used in regions with strict environmental laws?
Mazut use is less common in regions with strict environmental laws due to its high pollution levels.
Which fuel has stricter environmental regulations?
Diesel typically has stricter environmental regulations due to its wider use in transportation.
Can diesel fuel be used in power plants?
Yes, but it is less common due to higher costs compared to mazut.
Why is mazut less refined than diesel?
Mazut is a residual product of crude oil distillation, requiring less processing.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
