Ullage Tank Fuel-Air Mixture Characterisation

Abstract

This technical note discusses method development for the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) vapour characterisation of Jet A-1 fuel. The vapour characterisation was conducted in the ullage; the void volume above the liquid fuel. A key objective was to determine the relative headspace concentrations, of different compounds at various equilibrium temperatures. This study was conducted to further understand the mechanisms of flame propagation in fuel tank vulnerability tests under experimental conditions that reflect the field environment of aviation fuel tanks used by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The results showed that the major constituents were 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, decane and undecane. Equilibrium was reached in the system after 10 minutes of incubation regardless of the temperature.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA558095

Entities

People

  • Conrad Skibinski
  • David Armitt

Organizations

  • Defence Science and Technology Group

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Alkanes
  • Aviation Fuels
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Cyclic Hydrocarbons
  • Fuel Tanks
  • Gas Chromatography
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Jet Engine Fuels
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mass Spectroscopy
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Spectrometry
  • Spectroscopy

Fields of Study

  • Agricultural and Food sciences

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Rocket Propulsion.