Cetane Enhancers

High-speed diesel engines require diesel with a higher cetane number/index to run effectively. Hence, in some cases, the refinery needs to add cetane improvers/enhancers into the diesel to meet the minimum limit.

The most popular cetane enhancers used globally in the market is 2-EHN. However, this additive increases diesel’s nitrogen content. While the diesel specifications do not set the limit for nitrogen content, it is indirectly set in thermal stability and storage stability.

In 2014 and 2015, diesel samples had a 2-EHN concentration of a little less than 250 mg/kg. During the following years, the 2-EHN concentration has been approximately 50 mg/kg or non-existent, as in 2018.