Field Method for Detection of Metal Deactivator Additive in Jet Fuel

Abstract

Jet fuel may contain a range of additives to improve its thermal and storage stability. One additive is a Metal Deactivator Additive (MDA) which reacts with metal in the fuel to form a stable metal chelate. This metal-MDA chelate is no longer chemically able to catalyse degradation reactions in the fuel. A thermal stability additive used within NATO, designation S-1749, also contains MDA as an integral component. A method, suitable for use in the field or in RAAF fuel testing laboratories, was required to assist fuel management procedures by allowing qualitative assessment of the presence of the additive in fuel. A colourimetric technique was developed using copper dosed silica gel which forms a strong coloured reaction product when exposed to MDA. The test method was found capable of detecting MDA in fuel at concentrations down to 0.5 ppm. The method was suitable as a field technique as it requires only the test tube and a disposable syringe.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA515410

Entities

People

  • Christy-anne Stansfield
  • Paul Rawson

Organizations

  • Defence Science and Technology Group

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Additives (Chemicals)
  • Aircrafts
  • Aviation Fuels
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Degradation
  • Detection
  • Field Tests
  • Fuels
  • Jet Engine Fuels
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Oxides
  • Silica Gels
  • Standards
  • Test Methods
  • Thermal Stability
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Engineering.
  • Manufacturing Engineering.