ASTM D7668-23 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Derived Cetane Number (DCN) of Diesel Fuel Oils—Ignition Delay and Combustion Delay Using a Constant Volume Combustion Chamber Method

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, CAN/CGSB-3.520, and CAN/CGSB-3.522. The test method may be applied to the quantitative determination of the derived cetane number of biodiesel, blends of diesel fuel oils containing biodiesel material (for example, Specifications D975, D6751, and D7467), 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 1.9 ms to 25 ms and combustion delay ranging from 2.5 ms to 160 ms (30 DCN to 70 DCN). However, the precision stated only covers the range of DCN results from 38.45 to 64.35.

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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.