A Correlative Model to Predict Autoignition Delay of Diesel Fuels

A constant volume combustion chamber has been used to study the influence on autoignition delay, of operating conditions, such as pressure and temperature. Experiments have been carried out on ten different Diesel fuels in order to show the effects of fuel nature. The results obtained allowed us to establish and validate a correlation law, enabling the prediction of autoignition delay. The proposed relationship generalizes the Wolfer's law to any fuel, by taking into account three specific characteristics: its cetane number, its paraffin content and its kinematic viscosity.