RON/MON Engine Performance Checking

RON/MON engine shall be qualified as fit-for-use by rating the appropriate TSF blend according to ASTM D2699 RON and ASTM D2700 MON. Then the octane number determination of a sample fuel shall be performed.

While RON/MON engine standardization is dependent solely on TSF blend determinations, rating Check Fuels can be done to determine the accuracy (lack of bias) of the engine.

Check RON/MON Engine Performance by Rating Check Fuels

Test Check Fuels:

1. Compare the octane rating obtained for the Check Fuel to the Check Fuel O.N.ARV.
2. Specifics for control chart set up and interpretation of the delta between the rating and the ARV value can be found in Practice D6299.
3. If an out-of-statistical control situation is detected, examine the engine system operation for assignable cause.

Quality Control (QC Testing):

• Users should conduct a regular statistical quality control program to monitor the engine is in statistical control over time. The test method suggests validating the engine system by the rating of a QC sample fuel.
• The QC sample is a typical spark ignition engine fuel having a research octane number within the normal operating range of the engine. Users are encouraged to assess the normal operating range and determine, if multiple QC samples are required based upon the RON/MON range of the samples typically rated.
• Use appropriate control charts or other statistically equivalent techniques to assess the RON/MON value. Control charts often used for this application are Individuals and Moving Range (I/MR). Specifics for control chart set up and interpretation can be found in Practice D6299.
• If an out-of-statistical control situation is detected, examine the engine system operation for assignable cause.

The above content comes from ASTM D2699 (Standard Test Method for Research Octane Number of Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel) and ASTM D2700 (Standard Test Method for Motor Octane Number of Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel) standards. The operation of RON/MON engine shall be under the standard operating conditions.