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This paper is a continuation of work previously discussed in SAE 2014-01-0179 [1] and SAE 2015-01-0805 [2], which was intended to improve the capability and precision of the Ignition Quality Tester (IQT™) and associated ASTM D6890 [3]/CEN EN 15195 [4]/EI IP 498 [5] Test Methods. The results presented in those two papers indicated how the new generation of IQT™ with the TALM Precision Package upgrade can markedly improve the precision of the ASTM D6890, CEN EN 15195 and EI IP 498 Derived Cetane Number (DCN) test methods. This paper will evaluate the performance of the upgraded instruments over the past 21 months of their participation in ASTM’s National Fuel Exchange Group (NEG) diesel fuel exchange program.

This paper presents the results of a mini Inter-Laboratory Study (mILS) that is a continuation of earlier work, published in SAE paper number 2014-01-0179 [1]. This work was aimed to improve the capability, precision, and durability of the Ignition Quality Tester (IQT™) and ASTM D6890 [2]/EN15195 [3] Test Methods. The mILS was performed to determine how much the TALM IQT™ Precision Package would improve the precision of four IQT™s, relative to a larger number of IQT™s participating in two separate Fuel Exchange Programs (FEPs). Two of the IQT™s were located at AET and the other two were located at two different external laboratories. All four IQT™s were equipped with the TALM Precision Package. Nine fuel samples from the two FEPs with reference DCN values from 33 to 82 were selected for testing.

This paper draws from several recent activities conducted at Advanced Engine Technology Ltd. (AET) which were aimed at improving the capability, precision, and durability of the Ignition Quality Tester (IQT™). The paper includes descriptions of the current Totally Automated Lab Model IQT™-TALM technology, recent experimental results such as updates to the IQT™ measurement capabilities and a summary of a Micro Intra-Laboratory Study (μILS) results. The results show that the standard deviation of Derived Cetane Number for most of the fuel samples tested was considerably lower than that obtained when those fuel samples were tested in the ASTM National Exchange Group and Energy Institute diesel fuel exchange programs.