Design and Current Status of Development of a Jet Fuel Thermal Stability Additive

摘要

An initiative led by the US Air Force concluded that advances in military fighter aircraft systems would require fuels with over 50% improvement in heat sink capability over conventional JP8 fuel, This led to the creation of the 'JP8 + 100' program during which hundreds of commercial additives were tested for thermal stability enhancing characteristics. The program demonstrated that the thermal stability of jet fuels (particularly JPS) could be enhanced through the use of particular additives and additive blends used at relatively low concentrations. Additionally, flight testing highlighted a significant reduction in fuel- and related maintenance costs, arising from cleaner combustion. One aspect of the incorporation of the most beneficial additives from a thermal stability viewpoint that has given some cause for concern, however, is the consequent effect on the water and solids separation from 'JP8+100' fuel, a feature minimized by introduction of the '+100' additive as close to the skin of the aircraft as possible. Inspired by the USAF success, and anticipated consequential environmental benefits, we have conducted an experimental program for the design and development of a conceptually new multifunctional molecular species to enhance the thermal stability of jet fuels, without compromising other required essentials of jet a fuel product quality.