A Slovak university has developed an additive for improving the cetane number in diesel or biodiesel fuels with a significant effect on the reduction of ignition delay of fuel engines

Cetane number is a significant factor in the quality of the diesel fuels and has direct effect on reducing the fuel ignition delay after the injection into the combustion chamber. As a result of the short delay, the engine runs smoothly, with lower noise levels and decreased volume of flue gas in the exhaust phase. The production process of the fuel additive utilizes a product of renewable sources - glycerol, which is in surplus on the market, as it arises as a by-product of fatty acid methyl esters (bio-components for diesel fuel). Using the proposed additive helps to achieve the European Union limits on bio-component content in motor fuels. European Standard EN 590 prescribes minimal cetane number of 51 for produced diesel fuels. Using the proposed fuel additive allows you to increase the cetane number of fuel by several units. The innovative diesel fuel additive is applicable in the production of oil-based diesel or biodiesel fuels. Improvement of the fuel quality has positive effects on the performance and operation of the engine, as well as on the environment, as it utilizes products of renewable sources. The university is looking for partners - industrial companies - active in the field of oil-based diesel fuels and biodiesel fuels for future manufacturing and commercialization of the technology under licence agreement or for technical cooperation for the development and usage of the technology.