Oktaaninumber

Oktaaninumber, also known as octane number, is a measure of the anti-knock properties of a fuel. It is a key indicator of how well a fuel resists engine knocking, which is a type of engine damage caused by the rapid combustion of the fuel-air mixture. The octane number is determined by comparing the fuel's performance to a mixture of two reference fuels: iso-octane and n-heptane. Iso-octane has an octane number of 100 and n-heptane has an octane number of 0. The octane number of a fuel is expressed as a percentage, indicating how closely it resembles iso-octane in terms of its resistance to knocking.

Fuels with a higher octane number are less likely to cause engine knocking and can be used in engines designed to run on lower-octane fuels. Conversely, fuels with a lower octane number may require engines with higher compression ratios or the addition of anti-knock agents to prevent knocking. The octane number is an important specification for gasoline and other fuels used in internal combustion engines. It is typically measured using standardized test methods, such as the Motor Method or the Research Method, to ensure consistency and comparability across different fuels and testing facilities.