Pronunciation: [sˈɛte͡ɪn] (IPA) 
Cetane is a hydrocarbon, a colorless liquid and one of the components found in diesel fuel. Its spelling may seem confusing, but it follows the IPA phonetic transcription of the word "SEH-tayn". The "c" is pronounced as "s" while the "e" is sounded as "eh". The "t" and "a" are pronounced as normal, but the final "ne" is pronounced with a short "ay" sound. Cetane is used in the cetane number, a measure of a diesel fuel's ignition quality.
Cetane is a term used in the field of automotive engineering and specifically relates to the measurement of the ignition quality of diesel fuel. It is a hydrocarbon compound found in diesel fuel that refers to its ability to ignite and burn efficiently in the engine combustion chamber. In simpler terms, cetane is a rating given to diesel fuels to indicate how well they ignite and perform in a diesel engine.
Cetane is quantified using a standardized testing method called the cetane number. The higher the cetane number, the more efficient and smoother the combustion process. A high cetane rating means that the fuel ignites easily and burns smoothly, resulting in improved engine performance, reduced noise, and lower emissions.
Cetane is crucial for diesel engines as it directly affects their performance and efficiency. Fuels with low cetane numbers may result in difficult starting, sluggish acceleration, and increased emissions. On the other hand, fuels with high cetane numbers provide better combustion characteristics, leading to smoother operation, improved power, and reduced emissions.
Automotive engineers and refining industries extensively study cetane ratings to formulate diesel fuels that meet the required specifications and optimize engine performance. Cetane improvers are sometimes used to enhance the quality of diesel fuel by increasing the cetane number, especially in regions with lower quality fuels.
In conclusion, cetane is a measurement of the ignition quality of diesel fuel, indicating how well it can ignite and burn in a diesel engine. Its cetane number serves as a benchmark for fuel efficiency, combustion performance, and emission control in the diesel engine industry.
The word "cetane" originates from the French phrase "céthane", which is derived from the last name of a French chemist named Paul Schützenberger. He studied the hydrocarbons found in petroleum and proposed the classification of compounds known as "cetanes" and "isocetanes". Cetane is specifically used as a term in the field of chemistry to describe a hydrocarbon compound (n-hexadecane) that represents the standard of comparison for diesel fuel combustion quality.
