Which of the following components is responsible for atomising the fuel in a diesel engine?

Diesel Engine

In a diesel engine, the component responsible for atomizing the fuel (i.e., breaking it into a fine mist) is the Fuel Injector.

In a diesel engine:

• Fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber at high pressure.
• The fuel injector sprays the diesel fuel in the form of tiny droplets (atomization), ensuring better mixing with air and more efficient combustion.
• Atomization is critical for proper ignition since diesel engines rely on compression ignition, not spark plugs.
   

Fuel System

• In an engine, fuel reaches the cylinder bore through the following path: Fuel tank > Water separator > Feed pump > Filter > Injection pump > Injector nozzle > Cylinder

Turbocharger

• A turbocharger in a diesel engine is a device that increases power and efficiency by compressing intake air before it enters the combustion chamber.
• This compressed air, with a higher density of oxygen, allows the engine to burn more fuel, resulting in more power output and improved fuel economy.
• The turbocharger uses the energy from the exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which in turn drives a compressor that compresses the intake air. 

Carburetor

• Diesel engines do not use carburetors. They operate on a compression ignition principle where air is compressed to high pressure and fuel is injected into the compressed air, causing it to ignite.
• Instead of a carburetor, diesel engines utilize fuel injection systems, often direct injection (DI) for better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.