Absorbance Changes as a Measure of Fuel Degradation.
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to examine absorbance (optical density) changes as a method of following the degradation of aviation turbine fuels when subjected to thermal stress. Thermal degradation differs in some ways from degradation on storage, a problem arising from slow reactions between unstable fuel components with air, water, and container linings, as affected by diurnal or seasonal climatic changes. In commercial fuels a variety of additives - antioxidants, metal deactivators and corrosion inhibitors are introduced, primarily to reduce the effects of these long term processes. The present concern is with thermal stability - the resistance of the fuel to relatively brief periods of elevated temperature in the presence of air and of heated metal surfaces. A method for following the course of thermal degradation of aviation turbine fuels was examined, based on the Phillips 5 ml bomb test, and measuring absorbance changes in the thermally stressed fuel at 340 millimicrons. Comparisons were made with a method based on direct measurement of weights of solid deposited from the fuel. Originator-supplied keywords included: Fuel additives, Jet fuel, Thermal stability, Optical absorbance, Antioxidant (733 PDA 50), EGME(Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether), FSII(Fuel System Icing Inhibitor), and Anticorrosion Agent (TOLAD 245).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA152087
Entities
People
- J. R. Coleman
- L. D. Gallop
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada