Problems Related to Storage and Distribution of Jet Fuel

Jet fuel is subject to particular attention in all operations that precede and accompany its use in accordance with the draconian air transport safety regulations (Anon., 1983). 

Leaving the refinery, jet fuel has generally no free water and contains only a small quantity of dissolved water. But humidity from the air and tank breathing result in continuous intrusion of water that must be then removed by decanting and filtration. This is why jet fuel needs to be tested for its ability to separate the contained water. 

A first approach to testing, ASTM D 1094, is to create, using a potassium phosphate reagent, a separation between two layers, hydrocarbon and aqueous. The degree of separation of the two phases is estimated by attributing a grade from 1 to 3 and the appearance of the interface by five levels of observation 1, lb, 2, 3, and 4. The specifications establish both the quality of separation (2 is the maximum) and the appearance of the interface (lb maximum). 

For jet fuels, the elimination of free water using filters and coalescers by purging during storage, and the limit of 5 ppm dissolved water are sufficient to avoid incidents potentially attributable to water contamination formation of micro-crystals of ice at low temperature, increased risk of corrosion, growth of micro-organisms. 

However, of all the petroleum products, jet fuel is the one receiving the most careful scrutiny. 

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