Effect of Aromatics on the Thermal-Oxidative Stability of Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene

The effect of aromatic type and concentration on the thermal-oxidative stability characteristics of a synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) aviation fuel was performed using batch and flow reactor systems, in combination with detailed chemical fuel analyses. An improved understanding of the impact of aromatic addition will assist in optimizing beneficial operational characteristics of the SPK feedstocks and the development of fully synthetic jet fuels. A primary goal of this study was to elucidate the controlling reaction chemistry and identify the cause for differing stability characteristics for varying types of aromatics. Studies were performed using a SPK comprised primarily of mildly branched iso- and n-paraffins as the base feedstock; limited studies were performed using a highly branched SPK. Commercially available aromatic solvents were used to represent petroleum-derived jet fuel and potential synthetic aromatic blending streams. These solvents were composed of mono- and diaromatic compounds of var...