Cold Start Properties of Diesel Fuel Blends with Varying Low End Volatility and Cetane Number

When using winter diesel fuel at very low ambient temperatures compared to Austrian average a lot of customers is confronted with serious complaints from the environment concerning noise, smell and smoke of starting diesel engines. These complaints seem to be connected with special types of diesel engines and the question rose what the composition of an ideal diesel fuel for the cold starting of all types of diesel engines should be. Referring to experience found in the literature 4 test fuels with varying ignition qualities and boiling ranges were blended and tested in two engines of totally different design at temperatures below 0°C to their startability limit without aid. A comparison of the fuels concerning cold starting behaviour, hydrocarbon emissions and opacity of exhaust gas was made.