Monitoring jet fuel thermal stability using a quartz crystal microbalance

• Published in: Energy & fuels 1993-09, Vol.7 (5), p.582-588
• Main Authors: Klavetter, E. A, Martin, S. J, Wessendorf, K. O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Petroleum products, gas and fuels. Motor fuels, lubricants and asphalts
• ISSN: 0887-0624; 1520-5029
• DOI: 10.1021/ef00041a004

Thermal stability studies of aviation fuels are hindered by the inadequacy of current instrumentation in providing quantitative, in situ measurements of the rates of solid deposition on contacted surfaces. This paper reports the development of a test system that utilizes a quartz crystal microbalance to make in situ measurements of minute amounts of solids that deposit on the quartz crystal when a liquid fuel is thermally degraded. The quartz crystal microbalance jet fuel test system (QCM-JFTS) was developed in response to a need for quantitative information at temperature conditions representative of actual aviation fuel systems with which to develop mathematical models for predicting fuel thermal degradation and solids deposition. This bench-top system has a resolution of better than 0.3 mu g/cm super(2) with good reproducibility and accuracy. Data on deposition rates in the temperature range of 125-200 degree C are obtained on three aviation fuels and simple global Arrhenius-type models formulated which demonstrate how the system can be used in model development. Additionally, the system can be used to obtain viscosity-density data on the fuels. Data obtained from the QCM-JFTS on a model hydrocarbon compound and on a Jet A fuel compare favorably with literature values. The data demonstrate the potential for this system to be used in various aspects of aviation fuel thermal stability investigations.