NMR Micro-Volume Detector for Hydraulic and PAO Contamination in Jet Fuel

Jet fuel contamination by Hydraulic Fluid and/or PAO results in fuel which is not fit for purpose. The inability of the USAF to rapid access if a Jet Fuel has been contaminated with these materials results in operational issues.á Fuel with contamination cannot be recycled to storage as incidental material contamination is limited in Jet Fuel specifications, such as ASTM D1655.á A portable instrument capable of detection of these materials when leaked into Jet Fuel would allow USA better decision making in terms of operational readiness of the aircraft and, the disposition of contaminated fuel to be made.á NMR is a well proven technology for the isolation of specific chemical compounds with fluids.á NMR were historically large (single room) units incapable of ever being considered for field use impractical for field use, however, a small Micro-NMR that currently operates with 20 ÁL if sample has been fully developed and is commercial use. ááWe propose to further enhance the base Micro-NMR technology to specifically address the detection of Hydraulic Fluid and PAO in the complex highly variable jet fuel background.á A preliminary investigation has shown promise with contamination levels above 5%, the proposers have a direct technical pathway to enhance the least detectable level, LDL, of the portable NMR instrument by a minimum of 3-fold.á This enhancement proposed here will be ready for commercialization, not only for the detection of Hydraulic and PAO in Jet but also as a tool for a wide variety of materials analysis. á