Formation of solid deposits during thermal stressing of jet fuels

Abstract

This study is aimed at spectroscopic and microscopic characterization of actual jet engine deposits and solids produced from jet fuels and model compounds in tubing reactors during thermal stressing experiments. GC-MS analysis of the liquids produced by the thermal treatment of the model compounds showed primarily the formation of alkylbenzenes, naphthalene, alkylnaphthalenes, biphenyls, and more complex polyaromatic and alkylated polyaromatic compounds. The formation of solids from the model compounds was usually associated with the relatively high concentrations of heavily substituted alkylbenzenes and polyaromatics in the accompanying liquid products.