AFIDA
Technology Guide
AFIDA – the future of cetane testing
Cost effective investment – typically 1 year ROI
Approved alternative to D613
No bias to D613
Uses the same PRF’s as D613
Minimum operator skill and minimizes technician time
Automated testing
Just 40 ml of sample per test
Minimal maintenance
Direct comparison to Cetane Engine (ASTM D613)
- IP 617; EN 17155; ASTM D8183 (AFIDA) contains a statement reporting no bias to ASTM D613
- Calibrated to the original cetane number scale
- Multi point calibration using 7 blends of PRF (Primary Reference Fuels)
Conformity to ASTM D975-18a
- ASTM D8183 now included, section 5.1.10
Conformity to EN590
- Section 5.7.4 is key – approves alternative technologies
- IP 617; EN 17155; ASTM D8183 fully meet EN ISO 4259 requirements
- IP 617; EN 17155; ASTM D8183 are approved alternative test methods
Significant difference with other CVCC instruments
- These use older CVCC technology reporting DCN, Derived Cetane Number
- DCN requires a correlation formulae to arrive at test result
- These DCN instruments require considerable ‘tuning’
Key strengths of AFIDA
- Minimises technician time
- Reports Indicated CetaneNumber (ICN) – not DCN
- Calibrated using PRF’s
- Fixed test temperature – no ‘tuning’ is needed
- Direct reading – no ‘derived’ formula applied
- Very small sample volume – just 40 ml
- Fully automated with 36 place sample carousel
Technology comparisons
| AFIDA ASTM D8183 | ASTM D6890 | ASTM D7170 | ASTM D7668 | D613 ENGINE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test method | ASTM D8183 IP 617 EN 17155 | ASTM D6890 EN 15195 IP 498 | ASTM D7170 EN 16144 IP 567 | ASTM D7668 EN 16715 IP 615 | ASTM D613 IP 41 |
| Result | ICN | DCN | DCN | DCN | CN |
| Calibration | 7 PRF blends Auto using the Cetane scale | Heptane & MCH Manual | Heptane & MCH Manual | 1 PRF & MCH Manual/Auto | PRF |
| Specialist gas/water | Not required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature tuning | Not required | By operator | By operator | Automatic | n/a |
| Sample volume | 40 ml | 200 ml + flush | 350 ml | 370 ml | 1 liter + flush |
User operational comparisons
| AFIDA ASTM D8183 | ASTM D6890 | ASTM D7170 | ASTM D7668 | D613 ENGINE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of instrument | Low | High | Low | Low | Very high |
| Operating complexity | Low | High | High | Medium | Very high |
| Test duration | 25 mins | 20+ mins | 20+ mins | 20-30 mins | 45+ mins |
| Sample handling | Automatic 36 place carousel | Manual introduction | Manual introduction | Manual introduction | Manual introduction |