Supercritical Fluid Fractionation of JP-8
Abstract
The fractionation of military aviation fuels with supercritical methane for purposes of separating multiring heteroaromatic and multiring aromatic compounds was demonstrated. It was shown that fractionated fuel possesses cleaner combustion properties and it is anticipate that fractionated fuel will demonstrate enhanced thermal stability due to the absence of the heterocyclic compounds. Because supercritical fluids fractionate on the basis of solute/solvent interactions it is possible to separate compounds of similar vapor pressure but slightly different chemical natures. Trace quantities of heterocyclic and multiring aromatic compounds, therefore, may be removed without significantly altering the balance of the fuel. Distribution coefficients and selectivities (in methane) were obtained for several heteroaromatic compounds in JP-8, and calculations using this data indicate that a 95% reduction in heteroaromatic content with a 97% yield will be possible in a continuous, counter-current extraction column with an effective separation zone of less than 10 feet operating at ambient temperature and at pressures of less than 3800 psi. Supercritical fluid, Methane, Turbine fuel, JP-8, Thermal oxidative stability, Fractionation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 26, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA247835
Entities
People
- James J Watkins
- Val J. Krukonis