Title: Characterisation of solid deposits from the thermal-oxidative degradation of jet fuel

Authors: R. Venkataraman, S. Eser

Addresses: Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ' Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

Abstract: A sample of a commercial aviation fuel, Jet A, was heated to 260° in a flow reactor over Stainless Steel 316 foils to create conditions similar to those that occur at the tip of fuel injectors in jet engines. The degradation of this predominantly aliphatic fuel under oxidative conditions deposited carbonaceous solids that consist of condensed polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Electron microscopy and diffraction analyses showed that the structure of these deposits is comparable to certain types of diesel soot. The formation of solids under oxidative conditions led to the incorporation of oxygen functional groups on the external and internal surface area of the deposits.

Keywords: jet fuel; thermal degradation; solid deposits; commercial aviation fuel; fuel injectors; jet engines; stainless steels; diesel soot; oxygen functional groups.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2008.016735

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2008 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.126 - 137

Published online: 18 Jan 2008 *

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