Leslie Massey
Cetane number (CN) is a measurement of diesel fuel's combustion quality, specifically referring to the fuel's ignition delay. The higher the cetane number, the shorter the ignition delay and the quicker the combustion. All diesel fuel sold in Australia must meet a legal minimum cetane number requirement, which is currently 46, although there is talk of raising it to 50. The actual cetane number requirement differs between engines based on design, load, size, and operating speed. Premium diesel fuel can have a cetane number as high as 60, and there are chemical additives that can boost the cetane level of any diesel fuel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cetane Number Definition | An indicator of the combustion speed of diesel fuel and compression needed for ignition |
| Cetane Number Calculation | Defined by finding a blend of cetane and isocetane with the same ignition delay |
| Cetane Number of Cetane | 100 |
| Cetane Number of Isocetane | 15 |
| Cetane Number of Alpha-Methylnaphthalene | 0 |
| Overall Cetane Number Calculation | The average cetane quality of all components in the fuel |
| Cetane Number and Engine Performance | Higher cetane number results in a shorter ignition delay, smoother running engine, easier starting, reduced emissions, and more complete combustion |
| Cetane Number and Engine Design | The ideal fuel cetane number differs between engines based on design, load, size, and operating speed |
| Cetane Number and Premium Diesel | Premium diesel fuel may have a higher cetane number depending on the supplier, but this is not always the case |
| Cetane Number in Australia | The minimum cetane rating in Australia is 46, and it generally sits around 50 |
| Fuel Quality Standards in Australia | Regulated by the Federal Government through the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001, and the Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001, updated in 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
The minimum cetane rating in Australia is 46
The minimum cetane rating for diesel fuel in Australia is 46. This standard is set by the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001, and the Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001, which was updated in 2019. The minimum cetane rating is an important factor in determining the quality of diesel fuel in Australia.
The cetane number of a fuel is a measure of its combustion speed and compression needed for ignition. Specifically, it refers to the ignition delay of the fuel, which is the time between the fuel being injected into the engine's cylinder and the start of combustion. A higher cetane number indicates a shorter ignition delay, resulting in a smoother-running engine, easier starting, reduced emissions, and more complete combustion.
The minimum cetane rating of 46 in Australia ensures that diesel fuel meets certain operability and environmental standards. The National Measurement Institute and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water regularly monitor fuel quality to ensure compliance with these standards.
While the minimum cetane rating in Australia is 46, the actual cetane number requirement can differ between engines based on engine design, load, size, and operating speed. Diesel fuel with a higher cetane number may offer benefits such as improved power output and reduced fuel consumption, but above each engine's ideal fuel cetane number, there may be no further advantage to increasing the cetane level.
One way to achieve a higher cetane number is to purchase premium diesel, which often contains additives to improve combustion and engine performance. However, the benefits of premium diesel fuel over regular diesel with a minimum cetane rating of 46 may be negligible in terms of engine performance.
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Premium diesel fuel can have a cetane number as high as 60
Cetane number (cetane rating) (CN) is an indicator of the combustion speed of diesel fuel and compression needed for ignition. It is an important factor in determining the quality of diesel fuel. A diesel fuel’s cetane number is one measurement of the fuel’s combustion quality. Specifically, the cetane number refers to the fuel’s ignition delay. This is the amount of time between fuel being injected into the engine’s cylinder and when the fuel begins to combust. The higher the cetane number, the sooner this combustion takes place. A fuel’s cetane number is determined by a specific test measurement, and all diesel fuel sold in Australia must meet a legal minimum requirement. A shorter ignition delay results in a smoother running engine, easier starting, reduced emissions, and a more complete combustion of the fuel. This also improves power output and/or reduces fuel consumption. The actual cetane number requirement differs between engines based on engine design, load, size, and operating speed.
In Australia, the Federal Government regulates the quality of all petrol and diesel sold in the country. According to the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, all petrol and diesel sold in Australia must meet a strict set of operability and environmental standards, with those standards defined for all petrol and diesel fuels sold. The minimum cetane number of fuel will be specified by the manufacturer to be the minimum required for reliable starting and running. Above this, increases in the number will only have a very minor influence on the effective timing, as this is mainly affected by airflow and fuel/air mixing within the combustion chamber.
One way to achieve a higher cetane number fuel is to purchase “premium diesel” at the pump. The main challenges to this are price and availability, as premium diesel can be quite expensive and is not sold at all fuel locations. Premium diesel fuel can have a cetane number as high as 60. In Finland, premium diesel fuels sold by filling station chains St1 (Diesel Plus), Shell (containing GTL), and ABC (Smart Diesel) have a minimum cetane number of 60, with the typical value being 63. Neste MY Renewable Diesel, sold in Finland, has a minimum cetane number of 70. In North America, premium diesel fuel may or may not have a higher cetane number depending on the supplier.
Another method to achieve a higher cetane number is to use a quality chemical fuel additive that contains a cetane booster. Alkyl nitrates (principally 2-ethylhexyl nitrate) and di-tert-butyl peroxide are used as additives to raise the cetane number. Biodiesel from vegetable oil sources have been recorded as having a cetane number range of 46 to 52, and animal-fat-based biodiesels cetane numbers range from 56 to 60. Dimethyl ether is a potential diesel fuel as it has a high cetane rating (55-60) and can be produced as a biofuel.
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Cetane number measures the speed of combustion
Cetane number, also known as cetane rating or CN, is a measure of the speed of combustion in diesel fuel. It is a key indicator of the quality of diesel fuel, specifically referring to the ignition delay of the fuel. The cetane number measures the time between the start of ignition and the first pressure increase during combustion. A higher cetane number indicates a shorter ignition delay, resulting in faster combustion.
The cetane number is determined by testing the ignition delay of a blend of cetane and isocetane. Cetane, with its ease of ignition under compression, has a cetane number of 100, while isocetane has a measured cetane number of 15. The volume-weighted average of these two values determines the cetane number of the fuel, rounded to the nearest whole number.
In Australia, the Federal Government regulates the quality of diesel fuel through the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 and subsequent regulations. All diesel fuel sold in the country must meet a minimum cetane rating of 46, although it typically sits around 50. This minimum standard ensures that the fuel is suitable for most engines on the market and meets environmental and operability standards.
To achieve a higher cetane number, some drivers opt for premium diesel or use chemical fuel additives that contain cetane boosters. However, it is important to note that the cetane number is just one aspect of fuel quality. Other factors, such as viscosity, solvent ability, lubricity, and energy content, also play a significant role in the overall performance of the fuel.
While higher cetane numbers can lead to smoother-running engines and reduced emissions, the impact on engine performance may be minimal. Some sources suggest that variations in cetane numbers have little effect on the power output or efficiency of the engine. Therefore, while the cetane number is an important measurement, it is just one of several factors that influence the overall quality and performance of diesel fuel.
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Cetane number refers to the ignition delay of diesel fuel
Cetane number, or cetane rating (CN), is a measure of diesel fuel's combustion quality. Specifically, it refers to the ignition delay of diesel fuel, or how quickly the fuel starts to burn under diesel engine conditions. The cetane number of a fuel is determined by finding a blend of cetane and isocetane with the same ignition delay. Cetane, which ignites very easily under compression, has a cetane number of 100, while isocetane's measured cetane number is 15. Once the blend is known, the cetane number is calculated as a volume-weighted average, rounded to the nearest whole number.
The cetane number is an important factor in determining the quality of diesel fuel, but it is not the only one. Other measurements of diesel fuel quality include energy content, density, lubricity, cold-flow properties, and sulfur content. The cetane number is also similar to the octane rating for gasoline. A higher cetane number indicates a shorter ignition delay, resulting in a smoother-running engine, easier starting, reduced emissions, and more complete combustion of the fuel. This also improves power output and/or reduces fuel consumption.
The actual cetane number requirement differs between engines based on engine design, load, size, and operating speed. Each engine has an ideal fuel cetane number, and increasing the cetane level above this number does not provide any further benefits. In Australia, the Federal Government regulates the quality of all diesel fuel sold, and all diesel fuel must meet a minimum cetane rating of 46. Generally, the cetane number in Australia sits around 50, and there is talk of raising the minimum specification to 50 as well. Premium diesel fuel can have a cetane number as high as 60, but it may not offer any significant performance advantages over regular diesel fuel.
One way to achieve a higher cetane number is to purchase "premium diesel" at the pump, but this option can be quite expensive and may not be available at all fuel locations. Another method is to use a chemical fuel additive that contains a cetane booster, such as Smith Lubricants Diesel Up, which can boost the cetane level of any diesel fuel sold in Australia. However, it's important to note that the cetane number is just one consideration, and other factors such as viscosity, solvent ability, and lubricity can also influence the performance of diesel fuel.
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Cetane number is one of many measurements of diesel fuel quality
Cetane number is an indicator of the combustion speed of diesel fuel and compression needed for ignition. It is one of several measurements of diesel fuel quality, including energy content, density, lubricity, cold-flow properties, and sulfur content. A higher cetane number indicates a shorter ignition delay, resulting in a smoother-running engine, easier starting, reduced emissions, and more complete fuel combustion.
The cetane number of a fuel is determined by blending cetane, which has a cetane number of 100, with isocetane, which has a cetane number of 15, to match the ignition delay of the fuel being tested. The resulting blend's cetane number is then calculated as a volume-weighted average, rounded to the nearest whole number.
The minimum cetane number for diesel fuel in Australia is regulated and currently sits at 46, although there is talk of raising it to 50. This minimum standard ensures that all diesel fuel sold meets a certain level of quality and performance.
While a higher cetane number generally indicates better fuel quality, it is not the only factor that determines engine performance. Other characteristics of premium fuel, such as viscosity, solvent ability, and lubricity, can also influence the engine's operation. Additionally, the ideal cetane number varies depending on the engine design, load, size, and operating speed.
To increase the cetane number of diesel fuel, some people use chemical fuel additives that contain cetane boosters. These additives can improve the ignition quality of the fuel, resulting in a smoother-running engine and reduced emissions. However, the benefits of these additives are sometimes unclear, and their use may be influenced by price and availability.
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Frequently asked questions
The minimum cetane rating in Australia is 46, and it generally sits around 50.
Cetane number (cetane rating) (CN) is an indicator of the combustion speed of diesel fuel and compression needed for ignition. It plays a similar role for diesel as octane rating does for gasoline. The CN is an important factor in determining the quality of diesel fuel, but not the only one.
A higher cetane number results in a shorter ignition delay, which in turn results in a smoother running engine, easier starting, reduced emissions, and a more complete combustion of the fuel. This also improves power output and/or reduces fuel consumption.
One way to achieve a higher cetane number fuel is to purchase premium diesel at the pump. Another method is to use a quality chemical fuel additive that contains a cetane booster.
