ASTM D4737-09a

Standard Test Method for Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation is useful for estimating ASTM cetane number when a test engine is not available for determining this property directly and when cetane improver is not used. It may be conveniently employed for estimating cetane number when the quantity of sample available is too small for an engine rating. In cases where the ASTM cetane number of a fuel has been previously established, the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation is useful as a cetane number check on subsequent batches of that fuel, provided the fuel's source and mode of manufacture remain unchanged.  
Note 2—Test Methods D6890 and D7170 may be used to obtain a Derived Cetane Number (DCN) when the quantity of sample is too small for an engine test. These methods do measure the effect of cetane improver.
Within the range from 32.5 to 56.5 cetane number, the expected error of prediction of Procedure A of the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation will be less than ±2 cetane numbers for 65 % of the distillate fuels evaluated. Errors may be greater for fuels whose properties fall outside the recommended range of application.
SCOPE
1.1 The calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation provides a means for estimating the ASTM cetane number (Test Method D613) of distillate fuels from density and distillation recovery temperature measurements. The value computed from the equation is termed the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation.
1.2 The Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation is not an optional method for expressing ASTM cetane number. It is a supplementary tool for estimating cetane number when a result by Test Method D613 is not available and if cetane improver is not used. As a supplementary tool, the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable equation must be used with due regard for its limitations.
1.3 Procedure A is to be used for Specification D975, Grades No. 1–D S15, No. 1–D S500, No. 1–D S5000, No. 2–D S5000, and No. 4–D. This method for estimating cetane number was developed by Chevron Research Co. Procedure A is based on a data set including a relatively small number of No. 1–D fuels. Test Method D4737 Procedure A may be less applicable to No.1–D S15, No. 1–D S500, and No. 1 D S5000 than to No. 2–D grade S5000 or to No. 4–D fuels.
1.4 Procedure B is to be used for Specification D975, Grades No. 2–D S15 and No. 2–D S500.
1.5 The test method “Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation” is particularly applicable to Grade 1–D S5000, Grade No. 1–D S500, Grade No. 2–D S5000 and Grade No. 2–D S500 diesel fuel oils containing straight-run and cracked stocks, and their blends. It can also be used for heavier fuels with 90 % recovery points less than 382°C and for fuels containing derivatives from oil sands and oil shale.
Note 1—Sxx is the designation for maximum sulfur level specified for the grade. For example, S500 grades are those with a maximum sulfur limit of 500 ppm (μg/g).
1.6 Biodiesel blends are excluded from this test method, because they were not part of the datasets use to develop either Procedure A or B.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.8 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2009
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.E0 - Burner, Diesel and Non-Aviation Gas Turbine Fuels

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D4737–09a
Standard Test Method for
1
Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4737; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 1.6 Biodiesel blends are excluded from this test method,
because they were not part of the datasets use to develop either
1.1 The calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation
Procedure A or B.
provides a means for estimating the ASTM cetane number
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
(Test Method D613) of distillate fuels from density and
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
distillation recovery temperature measurements. The value
standard.
computed from the equation is termed the Calculated Cetane
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Index by Four Variable Equation.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.2 The Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
isnotanoptionalmethodforexpressingASTMcetanenumber.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
It is a supplementary tool for estimating cetane number when
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
a result by Test Method D613 is not available and if cetane
improver is not used. As a supplementary tool, the Calculated
2. Referenced Documents
Cetane Index by Four Variable equation must be used with due
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
regard for its limitations.
D86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products at
1.3 Procedure A is to be used for Specification D975,
Atmospheric Pressure
Grades No. 1–D S15, No. 1–D S500, No. 1–D S5000, No. 2–D
D613 Test Method for Cetane Number of Diesel Fuel Oil
S5000, and No. 4–D. This method for estimating cetane
2
D975 Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils
numberwasdevelopedbyChevronResearchCo. ProcedureA
D1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
is based on a data set including a relatively small number of
Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid
No. 1–D fuels. Test Method D4737 Procedure A may be less
Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method
applicable to No.1–D S15, No. 1–D S500, and No. 1 D S5000
D2887 Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution of
than to No. 2–D grade S5000 or to No. 4–D fuels.
Petroleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography
1.4 Procedure B is to be used for Specification D975,
D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API
Grades No. 2–D S15 and No. 2–D S500.
Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
1.5 The test method “Calculated Cetane Index by Four
D6751 Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100)
Variable Equation” is particularly applicable to Grade 1–D
for Middle Distillate Fuels
S5000, Grade No. 1–D S500, Grade No. 2–D S5000 and Grade
D6890 Test Method for Determination of Ignition Delay
No. 2–D S500 diesel fuel oils containing straight-run and
and Derived Cetane Number (DCN) of Diesel Fuel Oils by
cracked stocks, and their blends. It can also be used for heavier
Combustion in a Constant Volume Chamber
fuels with 90 % recovery points less than 382°C and for fuels
D7170 Test Method for Determination of Derived Cetane
containing derivatives from oil sands and oil shale.
Number (DCN) of Diesel Fuel Oils—Fixed Range Injec-
NOTE 1—Sxx is the designation for maximum sulfur level specified for
tion Period, Constant Volume Combustion Chamber
the grade. For example, S500 grades are those with a maximum sulfur
Method
limit of 500 ppm (µg/g).
4
2.2 CEN Standards:
EN 14214 Automotive fuels — Fatty acid methyl esters
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.E0.02 on Diesel Fuel Oils.
3
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D4737–09. DOI: contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
10.1520/D4737-09a. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
Ingham, M. C., et al., “Improved Predictive Equations for Cetane Number,” the ASTM website.
4
SAE Paper No 860250, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Common- Available from the National CEN members listed on the CEN website
wealth Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. (www.cenorm.be) or from the CEN/TC 19 Secretariat ([e-mail]).
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of thi
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D4737–09 Designation: D4737 – 09a
Standard Test Method for
1
Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4737; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 The calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation provides a means for estimating the ASTM cetane number (Test
Method D613) of distillate fuels from density and distillation recovery temperature measurements. The value computed from the
equation is termed the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation.
1.2 The Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation is not an optional method for expressingASTM cetane number. It
is a supplementary tool for estimating cetane number when a result by Test Method D613 is not available and if cetane improver
is not used.As a supplementary tool, the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable equation must be used with due regard for its
limitations.
1.3 Procedure A is to be used for Specification D975, Grades No. 1–D S15, No. 1–D S500, No. 1–D S5000, No. 2–D S5000,
2
and No. 4–D. This method for estimating cetane number was developed by Chevron Research Co. ProcedureAis based on a data
set including a relatively small number of No. 1–D fuels. Test Method D4737 ProcedureAmay be less applicable to No.1–D S15,
No. 1–D S500, and No. 1 D S5000 than to No. 2–D grade S5000 or to No. 4–D fuels.
1.4 Procedure B is to be used for Specification D975, Grades No. 2–D S15 and No. 2–D S500.
1.5 Thetestmethod“CalculatedCetaneIndexbyFourVariableEquation”isparticularlyapplicabletoGrade1–DS5000,Grade
No. 1–D S500, Grade No. 2–D S5000 and Grade No. 2–D S500 diesel fuel oils containing straight-run and cracked stocks, and
their blends. It can also be used for heavier fuels with 90 % recovery points less than 382°C and for fuels containing derivatives
from oil sands and oil shale.
NOTE 1—Sxx is the designation for maximum sulfur level specified for the grade. For example, S500 grades are those with a maximum sulfur limit
of 500 ppm (µg/g).
1.6 Biodiesel blends are excluded from this test method, because they were not part of the datasets use to develop either
Procedure A or B.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products at Atmospheric Pressure
D613 Test Method for Cetane Number of Diesel Fuel Oil
D975 Specification for Diesel Fuel Oils
D1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), orAPI Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum
Products by Hydrometer Method
D2887 Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution of Petroleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography
D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
D6751 Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend
Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.E0.02
on Diesel Fuel Oils.
Current edition approved Oct.Dec. 1, 2009. Published NovemberDecember 2009. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
D4737–04.D4737–09. DOI: 10.1520/D4737-09a.
2
Ingham, M. C., et al., “Improved Predictive Equations for Cetane Number,” SAE Paper No 860250, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth Dr.,
Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.
3
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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