Navy Field Evaluation of Particle Counter Technology for Aviation Fuel Contamination Detection
Abstract
In an effort to improve current fuel quality surveillance practices, the Navy evaluated four commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) particle counters at two shore stations and onboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) during an underway deployment. Utilizing a combination of in-line and bottle samples, fuel quality was measured during fueling operations. Sediment and free water analysis were conducted on all fuel samples to allow particle counts and ISO codes to be correlated with the fuel???s contaminant level. In total, 216 JP-5 samples and 5 JP-8 samples were measured over the five week evaluation period. Select samples were evaluated using the Iso-proponal and Resolver?? cosolvents. High relative standard deviation between particle counts of the same sediment and free water concentration were measured confirming the results of past Navy testing that particle counts are not a feasible alternative to gravimetric sediment and free water analysis but may be a suitable measure of overall fuel cleanliness. Due to the lack of samples near the sediment and free water limits, 2.0 mg/L sediment and 10 ppm free water, a particle count and ISO 4406:1999 cleanliness code specification limit could not be established. In-line sampling particle counters would be the most advantageous to the Navy due to the decreased analysis time required but prior to implementing any particle count or ISO code limit, the variability between the in-line and bottle ISO code measurements will need to be addressed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA618862
Entities
People
- Douglas Mearns
- Jack Buffin
- Richard A. Kamin
- Terrence Dickerson
Organizations
- Naval Air Systems Command