This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D4737 − 21

Standard Test Method for

Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4737; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* cracked stocks, and their blends. It can also be used for heavier
1.1 The calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation fuels with 90 % recovery points less than 382 °C and for fuels
provides a means for estimating the ASTM cetane number containing derivatives from oil sands and oil shale.
(Test Method D613) of distillate fuels from density and NOTE 1—Sxx is the designation for maximum sulfur level specified for
distillation recovery temperature measurements. The value the grade. For example, S500 grades are those with a maximum sulfur
computed from the equation is termed the Calculated Cetane limit of 500 ppm (µg/g).
Index by Four Variable Equation. 1.6 Biodiesel blends are excluded from this test method,
1.2 The Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation because they were not part of the datasets use to develop either
is not an optional method for expressing ASTM cetane number. Procedure A or B.
It is a supplementary tool for estimating cetane number when 1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
a result by Test Method D613 is not available and if cetane standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
improver is not used. As a supplementary tool, the Calculated standard.
Cetane Index by Four Variable equation must be used with due 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
regard for its limitations.
iTeh Standards
1.3 Procedure A is to be used for Specification D975,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(https://standards.iteh.ai)
Grades No. 1–D S15, No. 1–D S500, No. 1–D S5000, No. 2–D
S15, No. 2–D S5000, and No. 4–D. This method for estimating
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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cetane number was developed by Chevron Research Co.2 1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
Procedure A is based on a data set including a relatively small dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
number of No. 1–D fuels. Test Method D4737 Procedure A ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
may be less applicable to No. 1–D S15, No. 1–D S500, and No. Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1–D S5000 than to No. 2–D grade S5000 or to No.ASTM 4–D fuels. D4737-21
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
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1.3.1 Procedure A has been verified as applicable to Grade Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
No. 2–D S15 diesel fuels.3
2. Referenced Documents
1.4 Procedure B is to be used for Specification D975, Grade
No. 2–D S500. 2.1 ASTM Standards:4
D86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and
1.5 The test method “Calculated Cetane Index by Four Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure
Variable Equation” is particularly applicable to Grade 1–D D613 Test Method for Cetane Number of Diesel Fuel Oil
S5000, Grade No. 1–D S500, Grade No. 2–D S5000 and Grade D975 Specification for Diesel Fuel
No. 2–D S500 diesel fuel oils containing straight-run and D1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API
Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Prod-
ucts by Hydrometer Method
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on D2887 Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution of Pe-
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.E0 on Burner, Diesel and Non-Aviation Gas Turbine Fuels.
troleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D4737 – 10 (2016). Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
DOI: 10.1520/D4737-21. D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
2
Ingham, M. C., et al., “Improved Predictive Equations for Cetane Number,”
SAE Paper No 860250, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Common-
wealth Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.
3 4
Supporting data (the analysis leading to the use of Procedure A for No. 2-D S15 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
diesel fuels and to Procedure B) have been filed at ASTM International Headquar- contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ters and may be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D02-1699. Contact Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D4737 − 21
Fuels, and Lubricants accounted for measurement errors in the independent variables
D6751 Specification for Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) (fuel properties) as well as in the dependent variable (cetane
for Middle Distillate Fuels number by Test Method D613). The data base consisted of
D6890 Test Method for Determination of Ignition Delay and 1229 fuels including; commercial diesel fuels, refinery blend-
Derived Cetane Number (DCN) of Diesel Fuel Oils by ing components and fuels derived from oil sands, shale, and
Combustion in a Constant Volume Chamber coal. The analysis also accounted for bias amongst the indi-
D7170 Test Method for Determination of Derived Cetane vidual sets of data comprising the database.
Number (DCN) of Diesel Fuel Oils—Fixed Range Injec- 4.3 Procedure B has been developed for diesel fuels meeting
tion Period, Constant Volume Combustion Chamber the requirements of Specification D975 Grade No. 2–D S500.
Method (Withdrawn 2019)5 The relationship is given by the following equation:3
2.2 CEN Standards:6
CCI 5 2399.90~ D ! 10.1113 ~ T 10! 10.1212 ~ T 50! 10.0627 ~ T 90!
EN 14214 Automotive fuels — Fatty acid methyl esters
(FAME) for diesel engines — Requirements and test 1309.33 (2)
methods where:
CCI = Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation,
3. Terminology
D = Density at 15 °C, g/mL determined by Test Methods
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to D1298 or D4052,
Terminology D4175. T10 = 10 % recovery temperature, °C, determined by Test
Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric
4. Summary of Test Method pressure,
4.1 Two correlations in SI units have been established T50 = 50 % recovery temperature, °C, determined by Test
between the ASTM cetane number and the density and 10 %, Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric
50 %, and 90 % distillation recovery temperatures of the fuel. pressure, and
Procedure A has been developed for diesel fuels meeting the T90 = 90 % recovery temperature, °C, determined by Test
Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric
iTeh Standards
requirements of Specification D975 Grades No. 1–D S15, No.
1–D S500, No. 1–D S5000, No. 2–D S5000, and No. 4–D. It pressure.
has been found to be applicable to Grade No. 2–D S15. The 4.3.1 The equation for Procedure B when T 10, T50, and T90
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relationship is given by the following equation:
CCI 5 45.21 ~ 0.0892! ~ T 10N ! 1 0.1311 0.901 B
@ ~ !~ ! #@ # @
are in °F is:
T 50N 1 0.0523 ~ !
3

CCI 5 2399.90 D 10.06183 T 10 10.06733 T 50 10.03483 ~ T 90!

~ ! ~ !
#@ ~ Document
2 ~ 0.420!~ B ! #@ T 90N # 1 @ 0.00049 ! ~
T 10N 2
! # ~ !~ !
2 T 90N
Preview
2
1 107 B 1304.09 (3)
1 ~ 60!~ B ! 2 (1)
where:
where: CCI = Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation,
ASTM D4737-21 D = Density at 15 °C, g/mL determined by Test Method
CCI = Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation,
Dhttps://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/64541770-bdf0-463e-afb8-2bb1bf427279/astm-d4737-21
= Density at 15 °C, g/mL determined by Test Methods D1298 or D4052,
D1298 or D4052, T 10 = 10 % recovery temperature, °F, determined by Test
DN = D - 0.85, Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric
B = [e(-3.5)(DN)] - 1, pressure,
T10 = 10 % recovery temperature, °C, determined by Test T50 = 50 % recovery temperature, °F, determined by Test
Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric
pressure, pressure, and
T10N = T10- 215, T90 = 90 % recovery temperature, °F, determined by Test
T50 = 50 % recovery temperature, °C, determined by Test Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric
Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric pressure.
pressure, 4.4 The empirical equation for Procedure B of the Calcu-
T50N = T50- 260,
lated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation was derived
T90 = 90 % recovery temperature, °C, determined by Test
from National Exchange Group data for 111 No. 2–D S500
Method D86 and corrected to standard barometric
diesel fuels with sulfur level between 16 and 500 ppm using a
pressure, and
T90N = T90- 310. Partial Least Squares technique. A 3-principal component
model was chosen. The model was validated with a set of 980
4.2 The empirical equation for Procedure A of the Calcu- diesel fuels with sulfur levels in the same range.
lated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation was derived
using a generalized least squares fitting technique which 5. Significance and Use
5.1 The Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation
5
is useful for estimating ASTM cetane number when a test
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org.
engine is not available for determining this property directly
6
Available from the National CEN members listed on the CEN website and when cetane improver is not used. It may be conveniently
(www.cenorm.be) or from the CEN/TC 19 Secretariat ([email protected]). employed for estimating cetane number when the quantity of

2
 D4737 − 21
sample available is too small for an engine rating. In cases
where the ASTM cetane number of a fuel has been previously
established, the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable
Equation is useful as a cetane number check on subsequent
batches of that fuel, provided the fuel’s source and mode of
manufacture remain unchanged.
NOTE 2—Test Methods D6890 and D7170 may be used to obtain a
Derived Cetane Number (DCN) when the quantity of sample is too small
for an engine test. These methods do measure the effect of cetane
improver.
5.2 Within the range from 32.5 to 56.5 cetane number, the
expected error of prediction of Procedure A of the Calculated
Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation will be less than 62
cetane numbers for 65 % of the distillate fuels evaluated.
Errors may be greater for fuels whose properties fall outside
the recommended range of application.
6. Procedure
6.1 Determine the density of the fuel at 15 °C to the nearest
0.0001 g ⁄mL, as described in Test Method D1298 or Test
Method D4052.
6.2 Determine the 10 %, 50 %, and 90 % recovery tempera-
tures of the fuel, as described in Test Method D86.
6.3 Test Method D2887 maybe used as an alternative to Test

temperatures of the fuel. iTeh Standards

Method D86 to determine the 10 %, 50 %, 90 % recovery FIG. 1 Calculated Cetane Index

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6.3.1 If Test Method D2887 is used, convert the Test
Method D2887 data to estimated Test Method D86 data
following Appendix X5, Correlation of Jet and Diesel Fuel, of
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Test Method D2887 and use the estimated Test Method D86
data in place of actual Test Method D86 data in the calcula-
tions.
6.3.2 Provision for use of Test Method D2887 data in this
ASTM D4737-21
test method is intended to facilitate its use in determining
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compliance with Specification D975 requirements. If this test
method is used for purposes other than Specification D975
compliance, the use of estimated Test Method D86 data should
be reviewed to ensure it is acceptable.
7. Calculation or Interpretation of Results
7.1 Compute the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable
Equation using the equation given in 4.1 (Procedure A) for
Grades 1–D S15, 1–D S500, 1–D S5000, 2–D S15, 2–D S5000,
and 4–D. The calculation of Procedure A is more easily
performed using a computer or programmable hand calculator.
Round the value obtained to the nearest one-tenth. Compute
the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation using
the equation given in 4.3. (Procedure B) for Grade No. 2–D FIG. 2 Calculated Cetane Index
S500.
7.1.1 Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation
(Procedure A) can also be easily determined by means of the from Fig. 1 to account for deviations in the 10 % and the 90 %
nomographs (applicable to Procedure A only) appearing in recovery temperatures of the fuel from average values. The
Figs. 1-3. Fig. 1 is used to estimate the cetane number of a fuel corrections determined from Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are summed
based on its density at 15 °C and its 50 % recovery tempera- algebraically with the cetane number estimate from Fig. 1 to
ture. Fig. 2 is used to determine a correction for the estimate find the Calculated Cetane Index by Four Variable Equation
from Fig. 1 to account for deviations in the density and the (Procedure A). The method of using these nomographs is
90 % recovery temperature of the fuel from average values. indicated by the illustrative example shown below and on Figs.
Fig. 3 is used to determine a second correction for the estimate 1-3.