Comparative Study of Alternative Fuel Icing Inhibitor Additive Properties & Chemical Analysis of Metal Speciation in Aviation Fuels

摘要

An investigation was conducted to compare some important properties of the current fuel system icing inhibitor, Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (DiEGME), with a candidate replacement additive, Triethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (TriEGME), and their solutions with fuel or water. The results indicate that TriEGME has similar solution properties and chemical behavior to DiEGME in evaluation of dissolution rate, freeze point suppression, viscosity, water solubility, and fuel/water partitioning. These results, combined with other independent evaluations, show that TriEGME has the necessary properties for replacement of DiEGME as a fuel system icing inhibitor additive. A principal benefit to the use of TriEGME is due to its relatively low volatility, which prevents degradation of topcoat material in fuel tank ullage areas. An analytical method was developed for the quantification and characterization of copper speciation in jet fuels using High Performance Liquid Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) with electrospray ionization. The method was used to successfully detect and quantify low levels of N,N-disalicylidene-1,2- propanediamine (MDA) and the complex formed between MDA and Cu(II) ions. The results indicate that HPLC-MS with electrospray ionization should be generally applicable for the detection and quantification of metal complexes in hydrocarbon solutions. The identification of metal complexes in fuels should greatly increase the understanding of the fundamental reaction processes which cause fuel degradation during storage and use.