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Thermal Stability Results of a Fischer-Tropsch Fuel With Various Blends of Aromatic SolutionFischer-Tropsch (F-T) jet fuel composition differs from petroleum-based, conventional commercial jet fuel because of differences in feedstock and production methodology. F-T fuel typically has a lower aromatic and sulfur content and consists primarily of iso and normal paraffins. The ASTM D3241 specification for Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Test (JFTOT) break point testing method was used to test the breakpoint of a baseline commercial grade F-T jet fuel, and various blends of this F-T fuel with an aromatic solution. The goal of this research is to determine the effect of aromatic content on the thermal stability of F-T fuel. The testing completed in this report was supported by the NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Subsonic Fixed Wing Project. Two different aromatic content fuels from Rentech, as well as these fuels with added aromatic blend were analyzed for thermal stability using the JFTOT method. Preliminary results indicate a reduction in thermal stability occurs upon increasing the aromatic content to 10% by adding an aromatic blend to the neat fuel. These results do not specify a failure based on pressure drop, but only on tube color. It is unclear whether tube color correlates to more deposition on the tube surface or not. Further research is necessary in order to determine if these failures are true failures based on tube color. Research using ellipsometry to determine tube deposit thickness rather than color will be continued in follow-up of this study.
Document ID
20130010440
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Lindsey, Jennifer
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Klettlinger, Suder
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 27, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 2013
Subject Category
Propellants And Fuels
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN5131
E-18317
NASA/TM-2012-216019
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 561581.02.08.03.44.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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