Last month's decision by the EC -- to take Kuwait off its list of developing countries deserving preferential trading terms -- could increase northwest European spot jet fuel prices by several dollars per ton, traders warn, but not in the UK where a loophole in customs and excise laws will allow Kuwaiti jet fuel to remain duty-free. (Monday, October 6, 2003)
Indeed this article is for Monday's Issue of Monday, October 6, 2003.
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Aviation Gasoline (AVGAS)
Avgas is gasoline fuel for reciprocating piston engined aircraft. Avgas grades are defined primarily by their octane rating.
Aviation Turbine Fuel (Jet Fuel)
Aviation kerosine is the most common fuel in commercial use. The standard civil grade aviation turbine fuel, Jet A-1.
Civil Jet Fuels
Aviation turbine fuels are used for powering jet and turbo-prop engined aircraft. Outside former communist areas, there are currently two main grades of turbine fuel in use in civil commercial aviation: Jet A-1 and Jet A, both are kerosine type fuels.
Jet A-1
Jet A-1 is a kerosine grade of fuel suitable for most turbine engined aircraft. It is produced to a stringent internationally agreed standard, has a flash point above 38ºC (100ºF) and a freeze point maximum of -47ºC. Jet A-1 is the usual fuel for turbines. NATO Code F-35.
Jet A
Jet A is a similar kerosine type of fuel and normally only available in the USA. It has the same flash point as Jet A-1 but a higher freeze point maximum (-40ºC).
Jet B
Jet B is a distillate covering the naptha and kerosine fractions. It can be used as an alternative to Jet A-1 but because it is more difficult to handle (higher flammability), there is only significant demand in very cold climates where its better cold weather performance is important. Jet B is used by the military and in general aviation (very limited use).
Miltary Jet Fuels
Jet fuels for military use are basically the same as the civil grades but generally include special additives, and a special high flash kerosine is also available.
F-40 (or JP-4)
JP-4 is the military equivalent of Jet B with the addition of corrosion inhibitor and de-icing additives.
JP-5 is a high flash point kerosine. Nato Code F-44.
JP-8 is the military equivalent of Jet A-1 with the addition of corrosion inhibitor and anti-icing additives. Nato Code F-34.
Aviation Fuel Additives
Aviation fuel additives are compounds added to the fuel in very small quantities
Anti-knock additives reduce the tendency of gasoline to detonate. Tetra-ethyl lead (TEL) is the only approved anti-knock additive for aviation use and has been used in motor and aviation gasolines since the early 1930s.
Anti-oxidants prevent the formation of gum deposits on fuel system components caused by oxidation of the fuel in storage and also inhibit the formation of peroxide compounds in certain jet fuels. Only certain anti-oxidants are allowed in aviation fuels.
Static dissipator additives reduce the hazardous effects of static electricity generated by movement of fuel through modern high flow-rate fuel transfer systems. Static dissipator additives do not reduce the need for 'bonding' to ensure electrical continuity between metal components (e.g. aircraft and fuelling equipment) nor do they influence hazards from lightning strikes. There is only one approved static dissipator additive used in aviation fuels.
Corrosion inhibitors protect ferrous metals in fuel handling systems, such as pipelines and fuel storage tanks, from corrosion. Some corrosion inhibitors also improve the lubricating properties (lubricity) of certain jet fuels.
Fuel System Icing Inhibitors (Anti-icing additives) reduce the freezing point of water precipitated from jet fuels due to cooling at high altitudes and prevent the formation of ice crystals which restrict the flow of fuel to the engine. This type of additive does not affect the freezing point of the fuel itself. Anti-icing additives can also provide some protection against microbiological growth in jet fuel.
Metal de-activators suppress the catalytic effect which some metals, particularly copper, have on fuel oxidation. Only specific metal de-activators are allowed in aviation fuels.
Biocide additives are sometimes used to combat microbiological growths in jet fuel, often by direct addition to aircraft tanks; as indicated above some anti-icing additives appear to possess biocidal properties.
Thermal Stability Improver additives are sometimes used in military JP-8 fuel, to produce a grade referred to as JP-8+100, to inhibit deposit formation in the high temperature areas of the aircraft fuel system.
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