Skip to main content
Top

2018 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

25. Blending of Synthetic Kerosene and Conventional Kerosene

Authors : Jan Pechstein, Alexander Zschocke

Published in: Biokerosene

Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

According to the current standards synthetic kerosene must be blended with conventional hydrocarbons or Jet A or Jet A-1 before it can be released as jet fuel. Besides a certain volumetric limit jet fuel specifications define a set of (additional) properties a blend must fulfill for certification. Thus, a proper selection of matching synthetic and conventional fuel batches for blending (“matching blendstock”) will be of significant importance at some point in the future aviation fuel supply chain. If the properties of the involved batches are unfavorable, the maximum allowable blending ratio may not be achievable. Yet from a technical point of view, even blending ratios beyond the currently specified limit could be possible, if two favorable batches were chosen.
Surveys have shown that properties of conventional kerosene vary considerably within the prescribed range of the specification. Against this background this chapter first provides an overview of the main types of molecules present in kerosene in order to illustrate their influence on fuel properties. Afterwards conventional and synthetic kerosene are characterized in detail. Finally, the most relevant properties for blending are identified for a wide variety of synthetic and conventional kerosene.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Footnotes
1
This only applies to Jet A or Jet A-1 containing synthetic kerosene.
 
2
Alkane and paraffin are synonyms.
 
3
The linear alkanes are commonly referred to as n-alkanes while the branched ones are called iso-alkanes. As a general rule iso-alkanes are preferred as their freezing point is lower than that of their linear counterparts of the same carbon number.
 
4
When compared to other hydrocarbons with the same carbon number.
 
5
The heating value describes the energy content on a mass basis. On a volume basis, alkanes have the least heating value while aromatics offer the highest.
 
6
With growing demand of ultra-low sulfur diesel, the sulfur content of kerosene may also be reduced. Severe hydrotreatment is a common process to desulfurize diesel which usually removes other heteroatoms, too.
 
7
Straight-run kerosene is obtained from crude oil by atmospheric distillation.
 
8
The freezing point can be adjusted to either Jet A or Jet A-1
 
9
The share of cyclo-alkanes is commensurate to the fraction of n- and iso-alkanes [14].
 
10
The primary viscosity requirement (at −20 °C) applies to all Jet A-1 fuels regardless of origin.
 
11
In the HBBA-report net heat of combustion was referred to as specific energy. Other publications refer to the higher heating value.
 
12
Furthermore thermal stability and corrosion, existent gum, net heat of combustion, flash point and smoke point were examined and possible interdependencies assessed. However, these implied no restrictions regarding the achievable blending ratios. Though, for the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the sample of neat SIP did not fulfil the existent gum requirement while neat FT fuel (Coal-to-Liquids) did not meet the obligation regarding thermal stability. In spite of that, all of their evaluated blends conform to specification.
 
13
Fluorocarbon rubber and fluorosilicone rubber are hardly conformed.
 
14
In the past, there had been leakage issues after changing the fuel grade. When the US Airforce moved from JP4 to JP8 in the 1980’s, severe leakages were observed. The problem was solved by replacing the old seals against new ones – it was not necessary to change the seal material in this case (CRC 2004).
 
15
Even ASTM D7566 indicates that some batches of conventional Jet A or Jet A-1 produced to ASTM D1655 might not meet the requirements applicable to Jet A or Jet A-1 containing synthesizes hydrocarbons.
 
16
On the ground, fuel transactions are conducted in volume related units. In the cockpit, fuel indications are mass related. Conversion is carried out based on the actual density.
 
17
Aircraft and fuel on board are exposed to severe changes in temperature. As a result, jet fuel expands or contracts leading to changes in fuel volume while the fuel mass remains unaffected. In flight operations, energy consumption is therefore expressed on a mass basis – e.g. fuel flow in lbs/h or kg/h.
 
18
The resulting viscosity of a binary blend equals a logarithmic function of the blending ratio (Grundberg-Nissan-Equation).
 
19
Yet, an important prerequisite is that the conventional blending component fulfills this requirement, too. Otherwise its impacts on the blend may be disadvantageous.
 
20
In [2] this has been evaluated by adding long-chain compounds to jet fuel samples.
 
21
Although deviations are allowed if agreed upon by supplier and purchaser.
 
22
The authors indicate, that some laboratories may not be equipped to accurately measure extremely low freezing points. The actual freezing point may therefore be even lower.
 
Literature
[1]
go back to reference ASTM D7566-14a (2014) American Society for Testing and Materials: Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA ASTM D7566-14a (2014) American Society for Testing and Materials: Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA
[2]
go back to reference Zschocke A, Scheuermann S, Ortner J (2017) High biofuel blends in aviation (HBBA), Final Report, published at HBBA.eu Zschocke A, Scheuermann S, Ortner J (2017) High biofuel blends in aviation (HBBA), Final Report, published at HBBA.eu
[3]
go back to reference Rickard G (2009) The Quality of Aviation Fuel Available in the United Kingdom Annual Survey 2008, First Issue, 3rd December 2009, Report for Energy Institute conducted by QinetiQ Rickard G (2009) The Quality of Aviation Fuel Available in the United Kingdom Annual Survey 2008, First Issue, 3rd December 2009, Report for Energy Institute conducted by QinetiQ
[4]
go back to reference Zschocke A (2014) Fuel properties and blending issues (world biofuels market). Presentation held at World Biofuels Market conference, Amsterdam. Accessed 6 Mar 2014 Zschocke A (2014) Fuel properties and blending issues (world biofuels market). Presentation held at World Biofuels Market conference, Amsterdam. Accessed 6 Mar 2014
[5]
go back to reference Zschocke A, Gröngröft A (Mitarb.), Meisel K (Mitarb.), Hausschild S (Mitarb.), Grasemann E (Mitarb.), Peetz D (Mitarb.), Meyer K (Mitarb.), Roth A (Mitarb.), Riegel F (Mitarb.), Endres C (Mitarb.) (2004) Abschlussbericht zu dem Vorhaben BurnFAIR: Arbeitspakete 1.1 bis 1.April. 2014 Zschocke A, Gröngröft A (Mitarb.), Meisel K (Mitarb.), Hausschild S (Mitarb.), Grasemann E (Mitarb.), Peetz D (Mitarb.), Meyer K (Mitarb.), Roth A (Mitarb.), Riegel F (Mitarb.), Endres C (Mitarb.) (2004) Abschlussbericht zu dem Vorhaben BurnFAIR: Arbeitspakete 1.1 bis 1.April. 2014
[6]
go back to reference Defense Standard 91-91 (2012) Turbine fuel, kerosine type, jet A-1 NATO code: F-35 Joint Service Designation, AVTUR Defense Standard 91-91 (2012) Turbine fuel, kerosine type, jet A-1 NATO code: F-35 Joint Service Designation, AVTUR
[7]
go back to reference Beyer H, Walter W (2004) Lehrbuch der organischen Chemie: Mit 24 Tabellen. 24., überarb. Aufl. Stuttgart Beyer H, Walter W (2004) Lehrbuch der organischen Chemie: Mit 24 Tabellen. 24., überarb. Aufl. Stuttgart
[8]
go back to reference Chevron Corporation (ed) (2006) Aviation fuels technical review. Chevron Corporation, Houston Chevron Corporation (ed) (2006) Aviation fuels technical review. Chevron Corporation, Houston
[9]
go back to reference Rachner M (1998) Die Stoffeigenschaften von Kerosin Jet A-1, DLR-Mitteilung, 98-01, Institut für Antriebstechnik, Köln Rachner M (1998) Die Stoffeigenschaften von Kerosin Jet A-1, DLR-Mitteilung, 98-01, Institut für Antriebstechnik, Köln
[10]
go back to reference Coordinating Research Council (ed) (2004) Handbook of aviation fuel properties, 3rd edn (CRC Report 635) Alpharetta, GA Coordinating Research Council (ed) (2004) Handbook of aviation fuel properties, 3rd edn (CRC Report 635) Alpharetta, GA
[12]
go back to reference Graham J, Rahmes T, Kay M, Belieres J-P, Kinder J, Millett S, Ray J, Vannice W, Trela J (2013) Impact of alternative jet fuel and fuel blends on non-metallic materials used in impact of alternative jet fuel and fuel blends on non-metallic materials used in commercial aircraft fuel systems, Final Report for Alternative Fuels Task: Impact of SPK Fuels and Fuel Blends on Non-metallic Materials used in Commercial Aircraft Fuel Systems, Updated December 18, 2013, FAA Office of Environment and Energy under CLEEN OTA Number: DTFAWA-10-C-0030, The Boeing Company and University of Dayton Research Institute, Available on the Internet: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/research/aircraft_technology/cleen/reports/media/Boeing_Alt_Fuels_Final.pdf Graham J, Rahmes T, Kay M, Belieres J-P, Kinder J, Millett S, Ray J, Vannice W, Trela J (2013) Impact of alternative jet fuel and fuel blends on non-metallic materials used in impact of alternative jet fuel and fuel blends on non-metallic materials used in commercial aircraft fuel systems, Final Report for Alternative Fuels Task: Impact of SPK Fuels and Fuel Blends on Non-metallic Materials used in Commercial Aircraft Fuel Systems, Updated December 18, 2013, FAA Office of Environment and Energy under CLEEN OTA Number: DTFAWA-10-C-0030, The Boeing Company and University of Dayton Research Institute, Available on the Internet: https://​www.​faa.​gov/​about/​office_​org/​headquarters_​offices/​apl/​research/​aircraft_​technology/​cleen/​reports/​media/​Boeing_​Alt_​Fuels_​Final.​pdf
[13]
go back to reference Frick, Viktoria (2011) Verfahrenskonzept zur Wasserstofferzeugung durch katalytische Umwandlung definierter Kerosinfraktionen. Dissertation, Universität Stuttgart, Fortschritt-Berichte VDI / Reihe 3; Nr. 924 Frick, Viktoria (2011) Verfahrenskonzept zur Wasserstofferzeugung durch katalytische Umwandlung definierter Kerosinfraktionen. Dissertation, Universität Stuttgart, Fortschritt-Berichte VDI / Reihe 3; Nr. 924
[15]
go back to reference Rumizen M (2014) Certification-qualification breakout session. 28 Jan 2014 Rumizen M (2014) Certification-qualification breakout session. 28 Jan 2014
[18]
go back to reference ASTM D1655-13a (2013) American Society for Testing and Materials: Standard specification for aviation turbine fuels. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA ASTM D1655-13a (2013) American Society for Testing and Materials: Standard specification for aviation turbine fuels. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA
[19]
go back to reference Standard 1530. 2013. Quality assurance requirements for the manufacture, storage and distribution of aviation fuels to airports Energy Institute Standard EI 1530 (formerly Joint Inspection Group [JIG]) Standard 1530. 2013. Quality assurance requirements for the manufacture, storage and distribution of aviation fuels to airports Energy Institute Standard EI 1530 (formerly Joint Inspection Group [JIG])
Metadata
Title
Blending of Synthetic Kerosene and Conventional Kerosene
Authors
Jan Pechstein
Alexander Zschocke
Copyright Year
2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-53065-8_25