Latest research and development enhances accuracy of cetane number measurement and cycle to cycle consistency between combustion events

CFR Engines Inc. is continuing with development testing of an F5 cetane engine fitted with a modern high-pressure electronic fuel injection (EFI) system. CFR XCP Technology in combination with a modern fuel injection system allows for precise control over the quantity and timing of each fuel injection event.  The result is improved cycle-to-cycle consistency between combustion events and a precise measurement of cetane number.

The EFI system also makes it possible to expand the cetane number range in accordance with ASTM® D613. Currently the published D613 precision covers diesel fuels in the range of 40-56 CN. Ongoing work at CFR aims to improve the capability to rate diesel fuels less than 20 CN to greater than 80 CN.  New engine technology is creating the demand for testing low cetane number fuels such as compression ignition gasolines, as well as high cetane number alternative diesel fuels such as HVO and GTL. 

In addition to internal R&D efforts, CFR Engines Inc has been collaborating with engine research labs at the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University. The figure below represents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the CFR F5 combustion chamber that was used to study how the fuel injection and combustion processes develop inside the prechamber. The CFD results were used to guide optimisation testing of the EFI system.