Evaluation of Thermal Oxidative Stability of Sustainable Aviation Fuels Using a Novel Thermal Stability Measurement Method

In aviation industry, fuel is used as both propellant and coolant. Because fuel’s coolant purpose, it is exposed to thermally stressed. This thermal stress leads to occur thermal oxidative reactions at some temperature levels (150 – 350°C). However, all fuels have different thermal oxidative stability depends on their fuel physical and chemical properties. Thermal oxidative stability can be basically identified as the resistance of autoxidation of fuel. The aim of this study is to develop a new test method and test range of alternative fuels in it, for generation of knowledge in the area of thermal stability of alternative fuels. After considering and setting a novel test rig up, experiments have been conducted for some traditional and sustainable fuels (SAFs). As a traditional fuel, Jet A, most common used in commercial industry, was used. SAFs have a great deal of potential due to their environmentally friendly properties. In addition, diesel fuel was used in order to analyze if test rig was working properly. Results of fuel break points have been compared, and it has found that HEFA-SPK has higher fuel break point than ones of other fuels, while one of Jet A, JP-8, and F-T/ATJ have the lowest one. This study shows that different fuels have different decomposition rate and trend of fuel break point of tested fuels.