The ID and CD values and the DCN value determined by this test method provides a measure of the ignition characteristics of diesel fuel oil used in compression ignition engines.

This test can be used by engine manufacturers, petroleum refiners and marketers, and in commerce as a specification aid to relate or match fuels and engines.

The relationship of diesel fuel oil DCN determinations to the performance of full-scale, variable-speed, variable-load diesel engines is not completely understood.

This test can be applied to non-conventional diesel fuels.

This test determines ignition characteristics and requires a sample of approximately 370 mL and a test time of approximately 30 min using a fit-for-use instrument.

1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination of the derived cetane number of conventional diesel fuel oils, diesel fuel oils containing cetane number improver additives, and is applicable to products typical of Specification D975, Grades No.1-D and 2-D regular, low and ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel oils, European standard EN590, and Canadian standards CAN/CGSB-3.517 and CAN/CGSB3.6. The test method may be applied to the quantitative determination of the derived cetane number of blends of fuel oils containing biodiesel material (for example, Specification D975, biodiesel, and diesel fuel oil blending components.

1.2 This test method utilizes a constant volume combustion chamber with direct fuel injection into heated, compressed synthetic air. A dynamic pressure wave is produced from the combustion of the sample. An equation converts the ignition delay and the combustion delay determined from the dynamic pressure curve to a derived cetane number (DCN).

1.3 This test method covers the ignition delay ranging from 2.8 to 6.5 ms and combustion delay ranging from 5.5 to 120 ms (30.0 to 65.0 DCN). However, the precision stated only covers the range of DCN from 35 to 60.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.