Good quality combustion occurs with rapid ignition followed by smooth and complete fuel burn: The higher the cetane number, the shorter the ignition delay, and the better the quality of combustion. The number relates to the ignition delay - the period that occurs between the start of fuel injection and the start of combustion. Higher is viewed as better - up to a point.Ī BP oil website from the UK offers a clear and concise description of cetane and its effect on performance: “The cetane number is the key measure of diesel fuel combustion quality.
The minimum cetane number in the United States is 40, but actual numbers will vary. A fuel’s natural cetane number is influenced by several factors, such as the base crude stock used to make the fuel and the refining process. Many additive products claim to improve the cetane number of the fuel. Cetane improver additives can help with sluggish diesel. The higher the cetane number, the shorter the ignition delay and the better the quality of combustion. Good quality combustion occurs with rapid ignition followed by smooth and complete fuel burn. The website notes, “Since retailers may also sell non-additized diesel fuel or diesel not meeting the Top Tier requirements, always check the dispenser.” Top Tier diesel is available through many retailers in North America. “Top Tier is a voluntary retailer program that addresses the stability and lubricity of fuel, detergency, water and particulates - items that help maintain the performance of the fuel system over the lifetime of the engine, which is a contributing factor to ensure top engine performance.” “Detroit does not specifically endorse any brand or type of fuel additive, but we recommend Top Tier diesel fuel, as it addresses many of the shortcomings of ASTM specifications regarding diesel fuel quality,” says Jason Martin, manager, HDEP thermodynamics and fuel map management at DTNA. Meanwhile, Detroit Diesel says it does not have any specific requirements beyond current ASTM specs, but it does suggest customers take steps to ensure they are using a quality fuel. In short, variability in the fuel supply is not likely to improve, so engine makers like Cummins are taking steps to level the playing field. That’s not hard to understand, as emissions requirements become stiffer and advancing engine technology drives tighter mechanical and engineering tolerances. When Cummins announced the Power Service partnership last year, Roger England, director of technical quality and materials engineering for Cummins, said, “In recent years, diesel fuel quality has become increasingly important as engines evolve and the diesel fuel manufacturing processes change.” Some cold weather operations may also call for the use of fuel additives when pour-point depressants, wax-crystal modifiers or de-icers are needed.”
“However, Cummins recognizes that there are poor quality fuels on the market which don’t always meet ASTM D975, and these fuel issues can result in a variety of issues for the customer, such as poor lubricity, low cetane numbers, low temperature operability issues, or injector deposits. “Cummins engines are designed, developed, rated and built to both certify and operate efficiently on commercially available diesel fuel,” said Josh Hahn, coolants and chemicals business leader at Cummins Filtration. If additives are needed, it should be done at the fuel supplier terminal,” says John Moore, powertrain product marketing manager for Volvo Trucks North America.Ĭummins, on the other hand, last year officially endorsed a fuel additive for the first time, recommending two Power Service products, Diesel Kleen + Cetane Boost and Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost. “We do not recommend that Volvo truck owners add additives to diesel fuel. Generally, they do not endorse or recommend the use of fuel additives. Diesel engine makers account for swings in quality when designing and certifying their engines. While the nation’s supply of diesel fuel is generally dependable, it’s not always consistent. A winterization additive can lower the cloud point, cold filter plugging point, and pour point temperatures of the fuel and prevent paraffin wax crystals from plugging fuel filters at low temperatures. “A good fuel additive will boost the cetane number and solve each of these fuel-related issues.”Ĭold weather is not kind to diesel fuel. “Additionally, many trucks suffer from the effects of a low cetane rating within the fuel that causes poor fuel economy and hard starts during the cold months,” Adams adds. “High-performance fuel additives can contain ingredients that not only dissolve the asphaltenes that are already present in your fuel, but also help prevent asphaltenes from forming and plugging filters,” he says.
0 kommentar(er)
