Cetane

The cetane number, or index, is an indicator of the combustion speed of diesel fuel and the compression needed for ignition. Diesel with a lower cetane number provokes ignition delays and requires more time for the combustion process to be competed. In other words, higher cetane numbers indicate better ignition quality. As a result, engine makers prefer diesel with a higher cetane number, or index, as it influences the engine’s efficiency.

The SGS Worldwide Fuel Survey (WWFS) results from diesel samples taken from 2011-2022 showed that all samples had a cetane number higher than the minimum limit of 51 as stipulated under the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/352). In 2022, the average cetane number of diesel samples was 56, and the lowest was 54. The figures below