AFIDA

Advanced Fuel Ignition Delay Analyser

Preliminary Information

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Cetane Number Analysis

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Cetane Number Analysis

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2020

30

40

50

60

70

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ID [ms]

CN

[−]

calibration curvePRF blends

AFIDA (Advanced Fuel Ignition Delay Analyzer)

AFIDA is a revolutionary development providing fully automated

determination of the Cetane Number Constant Volume CN(cv) of

diesel and diesel related fuels. The Analyser incorporates a unique

and patented high pressure injection system that generates fi ne fuel

droplets similar to modern common rail injectors that are currently

applied in the automotive industry.

The Analyser provides very fast, e� cient and calibrated CN

determinations, tests are fully automated via an integral carousel and

auto sampler.

New generation AFIDA technology

Direct correlation to ASTM D613 (ISO 5165) CFR engine tests.

The traditional Cetane ‘CFR’ engine method establishes an ignition

delay period for the test fuel which is measured against primary

reference fuels (PRF’s).

Existing CVCC technology (including IQT and CD510 instruments)

provide a Derived Cetane Number (DCN) result based on a correlation

equation applied to the ignition delay of the fuel sample.

The new generation AFIDA technology is a signifi cant step forward as

it uses the exact same Primary Reference Fuels as specifi ed in the CFR

Engine method to provide a calibrated cetane number measurement.

Initial test programmes have shown excellent correlation between EN

ISO 5165 cetane number and AFIDA cetane number. The coe� cient

of determination (R²) is 0.98 (see fi gures 1 and 2).

30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 8030

40

50

60

70

80

CN (EN ISO 5165)

CC

N (A

FID

A)

Figure 1: Example of a calibration with 30 PRF blends covering the whole measurement range

Figure 2: CCN correlation to CFR engine

MPI

TI

Piezo injector

Pressuresensor

Combustion air

Dilution air

Oxygen,Nitrogen,Argon

Exhaust

Exhaust

Optional:exhaust analysis

Fuel samples

Autosampler

Thermostat

High pressure pump

Waste

PIC

TI

TI

PIC

Pressureregulator

Gas mixing unit

PFC

Heating tube

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Cetane Number Analysis

Figure 4: Pressure variation curves of four di� erent fuels (B0, B30, GTL and Jet A1)

Figure 3: CCN variation during operation time

Features:

• Bench top operation

• Fully automated measurement

• Very small sample volumes (approx 40 ml/analysis

including fl ushing)

• Short analysis time of approximately 20 minutes per sample

• Integral 20 place carousel and auto sampler

• Minimum operator time

• Precise and reproducible software-controlled determination

of CN(cv)

• Calibration with industry approved PRFs

• Excellent correlation to EN ISO 5165

• Advanced electronically controlled high pressure fuel

injection system

• Safe operation – integral safety monitoring functions

• Results saved to PC or for download

• Proven calibration stability – minimizing downtime (see fi gure 3)

• Research: variable operating parameters make AFIDA a useful

research tool.

5 10 15 20 25 3049

50

51

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53

days of operation

CC

N [

−]

Operating sequence:

• Prior to the analysis each sample is fi ltered by the operator using

a 0.45 µm fi lter

• The software-controlled auto sampler selects the sample to

be analyzed

• The whole system is cleaned automatically with the

selected sample

• The high pressure pump generates the injection pressure, while

the heating tube keeps the fuel at a constant temperature

• The nebulized fuel ignites spontaneously and leads to a pressure

increase in the combustion chamber (see fi gure 4)

• The pressure variation curve is recorded highly resolved by a

dynamic pressure sensor

• CN(cv) is calculated by means of a calibration curve using fi ve

primary reference fuel blends (ie: as used by the CFR engine).

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 230

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

time [ms]

pres

sure

[bar

]

B0B30GTLJet A1

AFIDA 2805

4

Cetane Number Analysis

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Software:

AFIDA is controlled via a PC with user friendly ‘LabView’ operating software. The operating interface permits selection of sampling analysis

sequence. After selecting ‘start’ all sample analysis is fully automatic and needs no user intervention. Measurement conditions and a detailed

report of results are stored in separate text-fi les for each sample. A complete overview of CN results of the test sequence is saved.

Operation:

Measurement conditions: Chamber temperature: 650 °C 

Chamber pressure: 10 bar 

Injection pressure: 1000 bar 

Compressed air (20.9 ± 1.0 % O2) 

Sample volume: approx. 40 ml for analysis and cleaning 

Warm-up time: approx. 45 min 

Analysis time: approx. 20 min per sample 

Range for CN(cv): 30 – 75 in standard mode 

Reporting:

Software: LabView-based program with text export 

Test Parameters: All measurement values are stored in the data fi le 

Reports: Detailed report of test results, date and time, operator name and calibration data

Safety Features:

External cooling: Backup power supply and liquid level sensor

Waste: Liquid level sensor

Various: Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)-based

Requirements:

Operating requirements: Ambient Temperature: 10 °C to 35 °C (recommended 15 °C to 25 °C)

Humidity: up to 80 % non-condensing

Size: W x H x D: 1300 mm x 800 mm x 600 mm

Weight: approx. 100 kg (excluding platform)

*Manufactured under licence from ASG Analytik-Service Gesellschaft mbH

Technical Specifi cation