The high speed Diesel engine fuel specification has been built around a straight-run petroleum distillate from certain paraffinic crudes in order to have definite physical and chemical characteristics which especially reflect in certain minimum ignition quality, generally expressed in Cetane Number or Diesel Index.
Addition of chemical agents have brought about new concepts and make the specification requirements built around straight-run petroleum distillate fuels obsolete for their classification. Large scale usage of Amyl Nitrate Diesel additive fuels in several makes of Railroad Locomotive Diesel engines over extended periods have proven their effectiveness; the freedom from harmful deposits or corrosion in the engine and fuel injection system; also that exhaust smoke conditions were negligible.
The power performance ratings of Diesel fuels, based on new concepts of fuel combustion and chemical structure, are the true guide to a satisfactory high speed Diesel fuel of the future - not Cetane Number.
