Ignition and combustion properties of Heavy Fuel Oil
In an engine, poor ignition and combustion properties may cause operational disturbances and in worst case this may lead to an engine damage.
The FIA-100 FCA is an instrument based on a standardized method of determining combustion and igniton charcteristics of residual fuels.
Primarily used on marine engine heavy fuel oil (HFO).
FIA-100 FCA - Fuel Combustion Analyzer
HFO or residual fuels may consist of different oil fractions which are blended to meet fuel specifications. As refinery processes has become more efficient through the years, more light components are extracted from the crude oil.
The use of catalytic cracking processes are increasing the aromatic content of residual fuels. As a result, ignition and combustion properties have great variation and are difficult to predict by use of empirical methods.
The FIA-100/FCA uses a small sample of fuel which is injected into a constant volume combustion chamber at high pressure and temperature.
The fuel auto-ignites and the pressure increase during combustion is monitored. Ignition delay, and other combustion parameters are derived from the combustion pressure data.
Test method IP 541/06
As the only instrument available, FIA-100/FCA is compliant with test method IP541/06, Determination of ignition and
combustion characteristics of residual fuel oils. When operated according to IP541/06 the Estimated Cetane Number (ECN) is calculated.
ECN ranges from 5 to 40, where a high ECN value means good ignition properties.
The complete test method is available from Energy Institute – https://www.energyinst.org/
Data acquisition and parameter investigation
Instrument specifications
- Size (BxHxD): 70x70x40 cm
- Painted steel cabinet
- List Item
- Weight: Approx 60 kg
- Air supply: Compressed air – dry and clean
- Electrical connection: 220-240 V, 50Hz – 1600 W max consumption
- Circulation bath: External heater/cooler
- Computer connection: Ethernet cable to Windows computer
- Fuel consumption: 50 ml pr test
- Automatic operation
Test output
- Combustion Pressure trace
- Rate of Heat Release RoHR
- ECN – Estimated Cetane Number, range 5-40 CN, according to IP541/06
- Calculated parameters