3421 EI Research report: Investigation into the minimum auto-ignition temperature of fuels in open-air conditions

Overview:

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the AITs of typical UK fuels in order to validate measurement expectations for these fuels, and thus to allow considerations on whether current EI guidelines needed revision.

This report covers three phases of work carried out between August 2016 and June 2019 into the auto-ignition of liquid fuels commonly used in the UK. The first phase included a literature search of international test methods and associated test results. The report (see
Annex A) recommended that a programme should be initiated to test UK fuels for HSIT and AIT and emphasised the importance of using specific standardised test methods.

The second phase included discussions with industry to enable the recommendation of a test matrix, sources for the test fuels, a test house to prepare and transport the aliquoted samples and a test house to carry out the test work.

The third phase included finalising the fuels matrix (Annex C), fuel sources, test requirements, aliquoting / transport, testing, analysis of the test results (Annex D) and this final report.

This research report was undertaken at the request of the Energy Institute's (EI's) Distribution and Marketing Committee (DMC).