|
|
 |
What is Jet Fuel?
Modern jet aircraft require high quality fuel in order for the engines to provide optimum performance. Strict quality and performance criteria must be met before the fuel can be used. There are two main types of aviation fuel; Avgas, which is used primarily in piston or Wankel engines, and aviation turbine fuel, or jet fuel, which is used in turbine engines. It is jet fuel which is the most commonly used.
Classifications of Jet Fuel
There are three commonly used grades of jet fuel for commercial aircraft; Jet A1 is the standard grade of jet fuel outside the USA. It is a kerosene grade fuel with a maximum freezing point of -47oC. In the USA Jet A is used, whereas Jet B is generally only used in colder regions such as Canada and Alaska. The freezing point of the fuel is critical for the fuels’ classification and is the main difference between the fuels used on commercial aircraft.
Military aircraft use slightly different grades of jet fuels such as JP-5 and JP-8. These vary slightly from commercial grades as certain application-specific additives are used. JP-5 has a higher flash point than JP-8 and is used primarily for naval jets based on aircraft carrier.
Jet Fuel Testing
Jet A-1 must meet the requirements of British Ministry of Defence specification DEF STAN 91-91, Aviation Fuel Quality Requirements for Jointly Operated Systems (AFQRJOS) and ASTM D1655, the international standard for jet fuel for commercial aircraft. This standard also covers specifications for Jet A. These standards incorporate over 30 specifications which must be met.
What Can SGS Provide?
- Analysis of commercial Jet A1 to ASTM D1655 and Def Stan 91-91.
- Analysis of Jet A and Avgas.
- Analysis of military aviation fuels JP-5 and JP-8.
- Testing to Aviation Fuel Quality Requirements for Jointly Operated Systems (AFQRJOS).
- Testing to all the Department of Defence Specifications including MIL-DTL-83133F
- Full or Short Jet test recertification if specified.
- Additive dosing; antioxidants, antistatic, corrosion inhibitors and fuel system icing inhibitors (FSII).
- Fast turnaround times.
- Inspection & Sampling Services for transportation to storage facilities of all sizes of cargoes, from vessel to road tanker.
- Soak Tests - which certify if a new tank is suitable to store jet fuel or if a tank can be brought into service after repairs have been completed.
- Services to all aspects of the Jet Fuel production and supply chain.
- Technical and consultancy services for sampling, analysis, validation and reporting issues.
SGS UK Jet Fuel Laboratories
SGS UK Ltd. has Jet Fuel testing laboratories throughout the UK including sites in Ellesmere Port, West Thurrock, Hamble, Avonmouth and Belfast. SGS Belfast is the only laboratory in Northern Ireland with full Jet testing capabilities. All SGS Jet Fuel Testing Laboratories are staffed with experienced chemists and lab technicians ensuring same day turnaround is achieved.
Quality Program
All the SGS Jet Fuel testing laboratories participate in an international proficiency test scheme for Jet A1. These round robin tests act as a performance indicator and help to maintain a consistently high level of quality and assurance from our labs.
|
