1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the quantitative online determination by direct comparison of the difference in knock rating or delta octane number of a stream sample of spark-ignition engine fuel from that of a comparison reference fuel.

1.2 This test method covers the methodology for obtaining an octane number using the measured delta octane number and the octane number of the comparison reference fuel.

1.3 The comparison reference fuel is required to be of essentially the same composition as the stream sample to be analyzed and can be a secondary fuel termed standard fuel or a tertiary fuel termed prototype fuel.

1.4 The test method utilizes a knock testing unit/automated analyzer system that incorporates computer control of a standardized single-cylinder, four-stroke cycle, variable compression ratio, carbureted, CFR engine with appropriate auxiliary equipment using either Test Method D2699 Research method or Test Method D2700 Motor method operating conditions.

1.4.1 Knock measurements are based on operation of both fuels at the specific fuel-air ratio that produces maximum knock intensity for that fuel.

1.4.2 Measured differences in knock intensity are scaled to provide a positive or negative delta octane number of the stream sample from the comparison reference fuel when the fuels are compared at the same compression ratio.

1.4.3 Measured differences in compression ratio are scaled to provide a positive or negative delta octane number of the stream sample from the comparison reference fuel when the fuels are compared at the same knock intensity.

1.5 This test method is limited to testing 78 to 102 octane number spark-ignition engine fuels using either research or motor method conditions.

1.6 The octane number difference between the stream sample and the applicable comparison reference fuel is self-limiting by specifications imposed upon the standard and prototype fuels.

1.7 Specifications for selection, preparation, storage, and dispensing of standard and prototype fuels are provided. Detailed procedures for determination of an appropriate assigned octane number for both standard and prototype fuels are also incorporated.

1.8 The values of operating conditions are stated in SI units and are considered standard. The values in parentheses are historical inch-pound units. The standardized CFR engine measurements continue to be expressed in inch-pound units only because of the extensive and expensive tooling that has been created for this equipment.

1.9 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. For more specific warning statements, see Section 8 and Annex A1.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D2699 Test Method for Research Octane Number of Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel

D2700 Test Method for Motor Octane Number of Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel

D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum, Petroleum Products, and Lubricants

D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

D4814 Specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel

D5842 Practice for Sampling and Handling of Fuels for Volatility Measurement

D6299 Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance

D6300 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and Lubricants

D6624 Practice for Determining a Flow-Proportioned Average Property Value (FPAPV) for a Collected Batch of Process Stream Material Using Stream Analyzer Data

D7453 Practice for Sampling of Petroleum Products for Analysis by Process Stream Analyzers and for Process Stream Analyzer System Validation

E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods

E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics

Waukesha CFR Engine Manuals

Keywords

analytical measurement system; comparison reference fuel; delta octane number; stream sample fuel;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 75.160.20 (Liquid fuels)

DOI: 10.1520/D2885-09

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.