Effect of Low Cetane Fuels on Diesel Engine Operation: 1 - Preliminary Runs on Detroit Diesel 3-71 Engine

Three fuels with cetane numbers of 45, 36 and 29 have been run at four load levels at each of three speeds in a Detroit: Diesel 3–71 engine with standard injectors. Measurements of temperatures, pressures, Load, fuel flow, cylinder pressure in one cylinder, strain gauge measurements from the rocker arm operating one injector and exhaust emissions were all recorded. Comparisons show little change in operation except for increases in ignition delay and rate of cylinder pressure rise with the low cetane fuels. It was concluded, on the basis of these short runs, that the intermediate fuel probably would not cause major difficulties but the lowest cetane fuel could possibly present problems with noise and engine durability.