fuel. In the former case this indicator should be higher than in the latter case. Also, it should be understood that cetane number is different for engines operating on ships (20), trucks (40) and cars (55).
Cetane number measurement
For diesel fuels, the following method of cetane number determination is applicable. First of all, the value is numerically equated to the percentage of cetane in its mixture with alpha-methylnaphthalene in fuel equivalent. In further calculations the flammability of cetane is conventionally assumed to be 100%, and that of alpha- methylnaphthalene in fuel equivalent is 0%. Then field trials are conducted, during which the time of fuel self-ignition is measured and compared with the figures for fuel equivalent.
Here is an example. If it was determined that diesel fuel was ignited in a combustion chamber during the time equal to the time of ignition of a 30% cetane and alpha-methylnaphthalene mixture, it has a cetane number equal to 30.
Increasing cetane number
It should be noted that the quality of diesel fuel is determined not only by the value of its cetane number, but also by other factors, like oil contamination with mechanical impurities and the presence of water. Nevertheless, the issue of increasing the cetane number to normalized values does not become less important.
Filtration and separation have almost no effect on the time of ignition and self-ignition of fuel. They allow to clean fuel from water and mechanical impurities, but not more than that.
Special additives are used in practice to improve cetane number. They are substances which are added to oil in a small amount in order to improve certain performance characteristics. They compensate for the missing units of a cetane number of diesel fuel, normalizing the time of its ignition.
During industrial mixing of additives and petroleum products, it is necessary to ensure getting the most stable mixtures that would not break down for a long time.
Wyen using conventional mixing techniques, known today, fuel tends to break down when separate component parts are added to it.
The feature of USB-type plants produced by GlobeCore is the fact that using the injection method and hydrodynamic shock can increase cetane number of diesel fuel, while breaking down of the resulting product does not take place for at least 180 days.
Modern hydrodynamic (inline) mixing plants have proven themselves in industrial use as cost-effective, accurate and sustainable means of production of high-quality motor fuels with an optimal cost. The achievable cost savings and improved profitability, compared to a conventional technology of components mixing in special vessels, can accelerate the return on investment up to 60% for one year and provide a return on the project for a period of one year or less.