AN IMPROVED SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A LESS-TOXIC JET FUEL DEICING COMPOUND

摘要

Contemporary aircraft and jet fuel system icing inhibitors are derived from ethylene glycol. Fuel system icing inhibitors are mandatory in all military aircraft fuels and optional for use in commercial aviation fuels depending on routes, flight lengths, and season. Aircraft deicing applications, of course, depend upon season and airport location. These current deicing compounds are toxic at the concentrations that are required for effective deicing. In addition, water drained from fuel storage tanks contains these icing inhibitors, which creates further personnel hazards. The ketals synthesized from carbohydrates could represent viable alternative compounds to the currently used glycol based additives. Our approach is to utilize the U.S. surplus of sugars and/or starches as the basis for the synthesis of aircraft deicing compounds. The synthesis and freezing point characterization of the first deicing inhibitor will be reported.