Purpose:

The United States military uses three to four billion gallons of fuel per year, approximately 20 percent of the total U.S. aviation fuel use. It is estimated that 600,000 kilograms of particulates are emitted each year by U.S. military aircraft alone. Airborne particles pose both health and environmental risks. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards have issued a health-based regulation for particulate matter with diameters less than 10 microns (PM10). However, there is growing evidence that this regulation is insufficient to eliminate serious health and environmental problems for particulate matter with diameters less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which remain suspended in air and, when inhaled, lodge deep in the lungs where they cause a variety of health effects. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted a revision of the regulation for PM2.5 particles (EPA Fact Sheet dated July 16, 1997). This program will assess the reduction in soot particulate and pollutant emissions from gas turbine engines using +100 additive in JP-8 fuel.

Description:

The +100 additive was developed for use with JP-8 fuel (JP-8+100) to improve the fuel's thermal stability, thereby reducing the formation of carbon deposits in aircraft fuel system and nozzles. Use of JP-8+100 in fighter aircraft has resulted in significant reductions in fuel-related maintenance costs, and a three-fold increase in mean time between fuel-related failures. In addition, engine components were cleaner with drastically reduced soot buildup. Furthermore, recent tests in an advanced aircraft engine show a 20 to 35 percent reduction in particulate emissions from turbine engines using the +100 additive. With the primary objective of reducing solid PM2.5 emissions from gas turbine engines, emissions testing will be conducted in this study on Air Force transport aircraft. Preliminary results indicate that the Air Force could reduce particulate emissions by 90,000 kilograms per year using JP-8+100 in its transport aircraft, which burn approximately 60 percent of the total jet fuel consumed by the Air Force.

Benefits:

Use of JP-8+100 has the potential to reduce particulate emissions from gas turbine engines, thus reducing the exposure of ground personnel and people in the surrounding areas to hazardous particulate matter (PM). The ability to meet PM emissions limits in non-attainment areas will serve to decrease base and deployment issues with advanced military aircraft. Furthermore, by meeting local air quality standards of the Clean Air Act Amendments (1990) and upcoming amendments, military readiness for time and mission critical operations will be facilitated.
(Anticipated Project Completion - 2005)

Contact:

Mr. Edwin Corporan
AFRL/PRTG
1790 Loop Road North, Bldg. 490
Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Phone: (937) 255-2008
FAX: (937) 255-3893
E-mail: edwin.corporan@wpafb.af.mil