Chemical, Thermal Stability, Seal Swell, and Emissions Studies of Alternative Jet Fuels

This effort describes laboratory evaluations of six alternative (nonpetroleum) jet fuel candidates derived from coal, natural gas, camelina, and animal fat. Three of the fuels were produced via Fischer−Tropsch (FT) synthesis, while the other three were produced via extensive hydroprocessing. The thermal stability, elastomer swell capability, and combustion emissions of the alternative jet fuels were assessed. In addition, detailed chemical analysis was performed to provide insight into their performance and to infer potential behavior of these fuels if implemented. The fuels were supplied by Sasol, Shell, Rentech, UOP, and Syntroleum Corporation. Chemical analyses show that the alternative fuels were comprised of mostly paraffinic compounds at varying relative concentrations, contained negligible heteroatom species, and were mostly aromatic-free. The six paraffinic fuels demonstrated superior thermal oxidative stability compared to JP-8, and therefore, have increased resistance to carbon formation when he...