Assessment of the Composition and Distillation Properties of Thermally Stressed RP-1 and RP-2: Application to Fuel Regenerative Cooling

Published

September 28, 2011

Author(s)

Bret Windom, Thomas J. Bruno

Abstract

In this work, we measured the volatility of thermally stressed samples of RP-1 and RP-2 rocket kerosenes by use of the advanced distillation curve method. This work is part of a large program at NIST and other laboratories geared toward improving the operability of the hydrocarbon component of liquid fuel packages. Measurement of the properties of thermally stressed rocket kerosene is a necessary component of this overall effort. Samples of RP-1 and RP-2 were stressed at 475 and 510 C, at a pressure of 17 kPa (2500 psi), for residence times of 0.5 min. Volatility measurements revealed significant changes early in the distillation curves, becoming very pronounced at the higher temperature. The volatility measurements were supplemented with chemical analyses and a calculation of the enthalpy of combustion as a function of distillate volume fraction. We note that the increase in volatility is explainable by the significant increase of very light components produced during the thermal stress. We also note that the enthalpy of combustion follows the same pattern as the volatility, as we have noted in previous studies.

Citation

Energy and Fuels

Volume

25

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

advanced distillation curve, rocket kerosene, thermal stress

Citation

Windom, B. and Bruno, T. (2011), Assessment of the Composition and Distillation Properties of Thermally Stressed RP-1 and RP-2: Application to Fuel Regenerative Cooling, Energy and Fuels (Accessed June 7, 2025)