Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of the Aviation Turbine Fuel Jet-A

Published

July 2, 2008

Author(s)

Jason A. Widegren, Thomas J. Bruno

Abstract

As part of a larger-scale thermophysical and transport property measurement project, the global decomposition kinetics of the aviation turbine fuel Jet-A was investigated. Decomposition reactions were performed at 375, 400, 425, and 450 °C in stainless steel ampule reactors. At each temperature, the extent of decomposition was determined as a function of time by gas chromatography. These data were used to derive global pseudo-first-order rate constants that approximate the overall decomposition rate of the mixture. Decomposition rate constants ranged from 5.9 10^-6 s^-1 at 375 °C to 4.4 10^-4 s^-1 at 450 °C. The kinetic data were used to derive Arrhenius parameters of A = 4.1 10¹² s^-1 and E_a= 220 kJ•mol^-1. In addition to the decomposition kinetics, we have also done a GC-MS analysis of the vapor phase that is produced by the thermal stress applied during the decomposition measurements.

Citation

Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

Volume

47

Issue

13

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Arrhenius parameters, aviation turbine fuel, complex fluids, hydrocarbon mixtures, Jet-A, kerosene, kinetic rate constants, thermal decomposition

Citation

Widegren, J. and Bruno, T. (2008), Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of the Aviation Turbine Fuel Jet-A, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=50620 (Accessed October 13, 2025)