AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR DETERMINATION OF JP-8 SMOKE POINT AND LUMINOMETER NUMBER

Engineering & Scientific Innovations, Inc. (ESI) in cooperation with University of Cincinnati (UC) will develop an automated, standalone radiative heat and smoke point measurement device that provides improved accuracy and removes much of the subjectivity of the current method (ASTM D1322) by incorporating more modern and automated equipment. The proposed system utilizes a standard, laminar diffusion flame within a calibrated, documented and well conditioned naturally convecting airflow environment. Sensors connected to a fan controller ensure a constant mass flow rate independent exiting the test fixture, allowing for constant burn rates independent of fuel specimen. Radiative heat transfer measurements will be accomplished using optically sensitive instrumentation that is benchmarked against highly resolved spectral and blackbody radiators. Correlations will be developed between the quantities obtained by ASTM D1322 and the newly proposed methodologies for generational comparison between past and present data.