Fuel Oil Specifications

By
Er. Laxman Singh Sankhla
B.E.Mech., Chartered Engineer
Jodhpur, India
Mail ID: laxman9992001@yahoo.co.in
FUEL OIL SPECIFICATIONS
The cetane number is the 'ignition quality' of the fuel and is a major factor of 'ignition delay
period'. High 'ignition quality' fuels have a short 'ignition delay period'.
Excessive 'ignition delay period' cause large quantities of fuel to collect in the combustion
space, and when ignition commences it burns very rapidly, giving an instantaneous
temperature and pressure rise with resultant shock waves. This condition causes 'diesel
knock'.
The higher the engine speed, the higher the 'ignition quality' of the fuel required. (Note 1)
Cetane No for low speed engines

30

Cetane No for high speed engines

47

Diesel Index
This index may now be used instead of Cetane No and is quoted as the Cetane No + 3 , that
is:
Diesel index for low speed engines =

33

Diesel index for high speed engines =

50

Viscosity
Viscosity of diesel fuels affects:
The ease of atomization
The pumpability of the fuel
High viscosity leads to an increase in droplet size when the fuel is atomized consequently
the rate of combustion is reduced.
Ash Percentage
This is the amount of non-combustible material in a fuel oil. Gas oils and other distillates are
almost free from ash. In residual fuel oils the percentage could be up to 0.2 per cent,
depending upon the source of the crude oil supply, the refining process and market
requirements. Efficient centrifugal purifying or clarifying usually removes this ash content.
Water Percentage

Water is negligible in gas oils and distillates, but could be up to 1.0 per cent in residual fuel
oils. Water should separate out when the fuel oil is heated to 100 deg. F., but can also be
removed by centrifugal purifying.
Carbon Residue (Conradson Value)
This is the weight of the residue expressed as a percentage of the weight of the original
sample of fuel oil after it has been vaporized and vapors burned. For gas oils the residue is
under 0.1 per cent, whereas for residual fuel oils the percentage may be as high as 15. It
will be appreciated that the higher the Conradson value the higher the amount of carbon
which fuel oil will deposit. However, other factors in a diesel engine and a fuel oil affect the
amount of carbon deposited. To mention a few, there is the mechanical condition of the
engine, cleanliness of the intake air, and other properties of the fuel oil.
Sulfur Percentage
Sulfur percentage in fuel oils varies from negligible quantities in gas oils to upwards of 8 per
cent in residual fuel oils. The calorific value of sulfur is low, and generally it is undesirable.
However, it is usually present in all crude oils and cannot economically be removed
completely. Combined with water sulfur is corrosive. Boiler oils can be expected to have up
to 3 per cent sulfur content. With perfect combustion in diesel engine cylinders sulfur
appears to have no detrimental effects. Leaking piston rings and water leakages must be
avoided, especially if the products of combustion can enter the engine crankcase.