Is there a Chemist in the house? Red diesel cetane inadequacy

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cygnusv

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How can I boost the cetane rating of modern gas oil to around 53? The workshop manual for my old Coventry engine is very sniffy about low cetane (less than 53) rated fuel. Even the good fuel (EN590?) appears to be only about 51. I'd like to increase the rating of standard gas oil while maintaining or improving its lubricating properties. Any thoughts?

Seems odd that fuel burn speeds have been reduced in modern fuels. surely this results in poor combustion. Just my thoughts.... :confused:
 
cliff said:
Let me Google that for you......

http://www.fuelmajic.net/Cetane Booster.html

All hail the power of Google.....
Click to expand...

I did look at Google - didn't see this, but did see a John Deere (tractor) product available in the UK and probably more trustworthy - but it made me think. My engine is almost 65 years old, the design could be 10-20 years older than that. The original workshop manual states that cetane ratings less that 53 should be avoided. We've got the added problems of added bio, reduction of sulphur etc.

I did think about the old trick of adding petrol to the mix, which was used in the past to prevent waxing, but there is also the problem of lubricating the injector pump etc.

It's quite confusing. It would be nice to add a proven product to standard red diesel that would replicate what appears to be a more acceptable product from years ago. Google couldn't tell me how to do that....
 
 
cygnusv said:
I did look at Google - didn't see this, but did see a John Deere (tractor) product available in the UK and probably more trustworthy - but it made me think. My engine is almost 65 years old, the design could be 10-20 years older than that. The original workshop manual states that cetane ratings less that 53 should be avoided. We've got the added problems of added bio, reduction of sulphur etc.

I did think about the old trick of adding petrol to the mix, which was used in the past to prevent waxing, but there is also the problem of lubricating the injector pump etc.

It's quite confusing. It would be nice to add a proven product to standard red diesel that would replicate what appears to be a more acceptable product from years ago. Google couldn't tell me how to do that....
Click to expand...
The engine appears in an ad in the Motor boat and yachting annual circa 1940.
I used to have the Coventry Victor 9hp petrol engine version in my boat.
 
cygnusv said:
How can I boost the cetane rating of modern gas oil to around 53? The workshop manual for my old Coventry engine is very sniffy about low cetane (less than 53) rated fuel. Even the good fuel (EN590?) appears to be only about 51. I'd like to increase the rating of standard gas oil while maintaining or improving its lubricating properties. Any thoughts?

Seems odd that fuel burn speeds have been reduced in modern fuels. surely this results in poor combustion. Just my thoughts.... :confused:
Click to expand...
Vic S. Either wait for him to spot the post, or pm him. Cliff's suggestions are worth exploring.
 
Aren't there a whole lot of other factors that need to be taken into account, such as lubricity, sulphur content etc? AIUI, old versions of "diesel" have a higher lubricity (partly because of the suphur content) that modern fuels don't. As sulphur content is controlled by regulation these days, it may well be that you can no longer obtain an ideal fuel for these old engines. Most of the recipes for boosting cetane efficiency would probably reduce lubricity as well.

BTW, for efficiency you want diesel to burn slowly, so energy is being released throughout the power stroke. That's probably why modern diesel fuels have lower cetane numbers.

PS, before the pedants get on to me, I do know that the official spelling of sulphur is "sulfur". I don't like it!
 
I have some experience of old-some really old-diesel and semi-diesel engines.

The guys using them mostly in canal narrowboats use normal red diesel, sometimes with a little 20 or 30 weight oil added for " lubricity "

A little drop of petrol is useful in winter to aid starting and also avoids waxing.

I dont think I would worry too much. AntarticPilot's post hits the nail on the head-modern fuel is different, but slow burn is good.
 
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