In-Line Fuel Analyzer

ABSTRACT: The overall goal of this proposed program (through Phase III) is to develop a novel In-Line Fuel Analyzer (ILFA) capable of characterizing changing chemical composition of flowing jet fuels in thermally stressed environments representative of next-generation aircraft energy management systems.Knowledge gained using the ILFA will allow improving future fuel system designs that reduce fouling and maintenance.The goal of the Phase I program is to determine the best analyzer(s) that can detect, identify and quantify in real-time chemicals (individually or by class) involved in fuel decomposition.Feasibility will be demonstrated during Phase I by successfully measuring chemical components involved in thermal oxidation of fuel at mg/L concentrations, 350 oF and 500 psi.The goal of the Phase II program is to develop a prototype ILFA capable of detecting, identifying and quantifying fuel decomposition due to thermal stresses induced by the US Air Forces Advanced Reduced Scale Fuel System Simulator (ARSFSS).This will be accomplished by building a prototype analyzer, integrating it into the ARSFSS, measuring stressed fuel at 500 oF and 500 psi with a 1 minute time resolution, developing and testing analysis models, and delivering the prototype with user friendly software to US Air Force personnel.; BENEFIT: The proposed In-Line Fuel Analyzer is designed to meet the US Air Forces need for in-line analysis of thermally stressed jet fuels.This analysis would not only increase the understanding of fuel degradation, but also potentially allow predicting future degradation of a fuel sample.As such, the ILFA could serve as a method to determine the thermal oxidation stability of fuels and become standard equipment throughout the aircraft industry, from refineries to airports.Ultimately, development of a light weight (<5 pounds) ILFA would allow on-aircraft monitoring of fuel degradation in real-time, thus defining preventive maintenance schedules and addressing a need across the entire airline industry.