Advanced Technologies to Improve Fire Resistant Fuels

Luna Innovations proposes a novel flame resistant fuel formulation that will meet the Army’s need for self extinguishing JP-8 and diesel fuels. Recent research in water-in-fuel emulsions has demonstrated great advances to reduce flammability of fuels through its self extinguishing property. Although this technology has been very effective at reducing the hazards of incendiary threat, these materials present a significant logistic burden through necessary fuel blending equipment in storage, distribution and handling of the fuel. Luna has identified a new fuel additive that takes advantage of the beneficial properties of the materials already studied, with significantly enhanced stability. The Phase I has demonstrated a 15-30% decrease in fuel flame propagation rate compared with diesel and Army formulated fire resistant diesel at <10% additive level. This additive is formulated such that it will be stable indefinitely, and thus negate the need for auxiliary equipment on site. This technology will confer the safety advantages of self extinguishing characteristics, while maintaining high engine performance and decreasing logistic burden of the state of the art materials.