Jet Fuels

Abstract Jet aircraft is a weight limited vehicle so a high premium is assigned to hydrocarbon fuels with a maximum gravimetric heat content or hydrogen‐to‐carbon ratio. Jet fuel specifications tend to be industry standards issued by ASTM. The global nature of aviation has mandated that jet fuel be closely controlled in every part of the world. The gas turbine power plant revolutionized aviation. Kerosene was the first fuel burned in Whittle's prototype jet engine. Aviation fuels are primarily blended from straight‐run distillates rather than cracked stocks because of limitations on olefins and aromatics. Distillation cuts must be closely controlled to yield a product that meets flash point on one hand and freezing point on the other, ie, a jet fuel requires a fraction of about 60°C initial boiling point and a final boiling point not exceeding 300°C. Additives are added to the final blend of fuel. Additives cover a large number of problems that could arise. Antiicing, agents, biocides, antistatic agents and others are discussed. Alternative fuels are now a world focus because of the carbon footprint of present fuels and the the instability of the crude supply. Fisher‐Tropsch Fuels (FT) and biofuels (HRJ) are discussed. Feedstocks for biofuels include camelina, jatropha, and algae. Life cycle assessments of alternative fuels are given. Flight trials have begun using alternative fuels including a U.S. Navy test with a supersonic aircraft (F/A‐18 Super Hornet).