Extended fuel properties of sustainable aviation fuel blends derived from linalool and isoprene

Seven different sustainable aviation fuel blends were prepared with hydrocarbons derived from terpenoid precursors. The first, designated as L-Jet, was formulated with various molecules produced from linalool (a terpene alcohol) including hydrogenated methylcyclopentadiene dimers, p-menthane, 2,6-dimethyloctane, and hydrogenated isobutylene trimers. L-Jet was also blended with a synthetic paraffinic kerosene derived from fatty acids and esters (HEFA-Jet) as well as Jet-A. The other four sustainable aviation fuel blends consisted of either Jet-A or HEFA-Jet mixed with cyclic hydrogenated isoprene dimers that can be readily produced from the bio-based hemiterpene, isoprene. To determine the suitability of these blends as surrogates for conventional jet fuel, a number of properties including density, low temperature viscosity, heat of combustion, flashpoint, corrosion, smoke point, conductivity, simulated distillation, existent gum, lubricity, thermal stability, and derived cetane number were measured. The 100 % SAF blends exhibited higher gravimetric heats of combustion and higher smoke points (less soot) compared to the blends with Jet-A. Several of the blends met American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) requirements, suggesting that they are promising candidates for certification as next generation aviation fuels.