The Determination of Research Octane Number of Gasoline Fuels by Octane Analyzer.

The Foxboro Laboratory Octane Analyzer was investigated as an improved, more reliable, and somewhat less complicated method for assessing octane quality. The Octane Analyzers responses induction time, peak area, and peak height were correlated with the Research Octane Number RON, the Motor Octane Number MON, and the Antiknock Index RON MON2 as determined by ASTM D 2699 and D2700 engine test methods. Among the three measured responses, peak height was found to give best correlation. In addition, the correlation was better with the RON and the Antiknock Index than it was with the MON. The Octane numbers of Gasohols and Coordinating Research Council CRC full-boiling range unleaded fuels did not correlate with the Analyzers responses as well as did commercial unleaded gasoline fuels. In conclusion, the Octane Analyzer can be used as a screening test or as an alternate method for measuring the octane number of gasoline fuels.