Microemulsion-Type Fire-Resistant Diesel Fuel.
Abstract
An approach to developing a fire-resistant diesel fuel (FRF) has been identified as being potentially feasible for protecting diesel-powered armored combat vehicles. This approach involves the addition of 10 vol% water and 12 vol% emulsifier premix (equal parts surfactant and aromatic concentrate) to diesel fuel to form a stable water-in-fuel microemulsion. Water, containing less than 50 ppm of dissolved solids, is required if stable formulations are to be made with all diesel fuels which may be encountered. For the same reason, it has been found necessary to include in the formulation an additional 6 vol% of an aromatic hydrocarbon concentrate to serve as a combination microemulsion promoter and emulsifier solvent/thinner. The most significant FRF inadequacy is the filter plugging at subfreezing temperatures. This, in turn, precludes FRF use under all weather conditions. In addition to the foregoing applied research, a parallel program of basic research conducted in which the influences of changes in emulsifier chemistry on diesel microemulsion phase stability, low-temperature properties, and water purity requirements were studied, and an extensive literature survey was carried out. Overall, none of the modified systems studied produced emulsions that were unambiguously superior to those made by the standard FRF surfactant. Keywords: aqueous diesel fuel microemulsions; amide/amine/soap surfactants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA157125
Entities
People
- B. R. Wright
- Edwin C. Owens
- G. E. Fodor
- M. D. Kanakia
- W. D. Weatherford Jr.
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute