a colourless insoluble liquid alkane hydrocarbon used in the determination of the cetane number of diesel fuel. Formula: C16H34
Also called: hexadecane
Word origin
C19: from Latin cētus whale + -ane, so called because related compounds are found in sperm whale oil
cetane in American English
(ˈsiˌteɪn)
noun
a colorless, liquid alkane, C16H34, found in petroleum and, sometimes, in vegetable matter, and used to test fuel oils
Word origin
< L cetus (see cetacean) + -ane
cetane in Automotive Engineering
(siteɪn)
noun
(Automotive engineering: Fuels, oils, emissions, and other fluids)
Cetane is a colorless liquid hydrocarbon found in petroleum and used as the fuel on whichthe cetane number scale is based. It has a cetane number of 100.
It is highly desirable to have a high percentage of cetane, as it increases the efficiency of diesel engines.
The oil has higher cetane ratings, which is a measurement of the ignition quality of the fuel.
This diesel is a lot cleaner, it is high in cetane which gives diesel its power like octane does gas and lowers emissions.