Method to calculate fuel DI number from a measured curve

This invention relates to an on-board sensing element and method for using the same to measure the volatility of a sample of non-ethanol gasoline by measuring the change in capacitance of the sensing element as a function of time and temperature and using the measurements to estimate the driveability index (DI) of the sample. A method to calculate a fuel driveability index (DI) value is provided from a sample of fuel in a container as tested by the industry standard ASTM D86 test providing particular temperature data at various percentages of evaporation as the container is heated. The particular temperature data provides a DI value. The same sample of fuel is tested on a sensor capable of retaining a predetermined volume of fuel. Temperature data is monitored at the same percentages of evaporation as the sensor is being heated. Correlation equations are mathematically calculated between the temperature data from the sensor relative to the particular temperature data from the ASTM D86 test and stored in the engine controller of a vehicle. The fuel from the fuel tank is tested by heating a similar on-board sensor having the predetermined volume of fuel and measuring the temperature data as a function of the remaining fuel in the sensor. The stored correlation equations are applied to the measured temperatures to provide the required temperature data to calculate the DI value for the fuel in the fuel tank.