Aviation fuel - oil productproduction, responsible for the operation of engines of various types of air transport. Depending on the composition, scope and performance, fuel can be of different types. There are two main ones: aviation kerosene (also called jet fuel) and aviation gasoline.
Each engine is designed withuse a specific type of fuel that provides the necessary speed and reliability. If you use fuel that is not intended for this type of engine, you can reduce its working life and power characteristics of the aircraft itself.
Jet fuel for aircraft
Авиационное топливо – керосин для реактивных engines - used to refuel most aircraft. It comes in various brands. In our country, there are six different types, the characteristics of the choice depend on the conditions and characteristics of the aircraft itself. For example, in the field of subsonic aviation used kerosene brand TS-1, containing a large amount of sulfur in the composition. A supersonic aircraft operate on the marks TC-8 or TC-6. Low-altitude aircraft refuel with TS-2 kerosene.
Kerosene - for aviation and not only
Kerosene belongs to the light types of petroleum products.It is produced by direct distillation or recycling of oil. The boiling point of this product, depending on the composition, can vary from 150 to 250 degrees.
Here are the main uses of kerosene:
- Aviation. Here kerosene acts as aviation fuel.for coolant and screw engines, as a lubricant for fuel systems. It has proven itself in many ways, in particular, improving engine durability and low-temperature properties.
- Rocket building. Today, kerosene is widely used as a rocket fuel, albeit with low efficiency. In the future, for this purpose they plan to use ethane or propane.
- Production. Kerosene is an excellent raw material for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as other synthetic materials.
- Heating. In countries where there is no central heating system, kerosene is widely used. It differs in high characteristics of fire safety, is effective and economic in use.
- Lighting. Although electricity is universally used, kerosene lamps are also not in a hurry to give up their positions.
Popular aviation fuels at home and abroad
There are several types in the foreign market.fuels for aviation. They are distinguished by the limiting boiling point, by the characteristics of the fractional composition, by the flash point (for example, kerosene has the highest rates for naval aviation), and so on.
The most popular product is aviationdiesel fuel with improved fractional composition, widely used in civil aviation. For example, the brand "Jet A-1". There are a number of stringent requirements. But in developing countries, the requirements for fuel are practically unregulated.
Aviation gasoline
The main scope of aviation gasoline -piston engines of small-capacity airplanes and helicopters. They differ from automobile engines by the system of forced fuel injection, and hence the requirements for aviation fuel should be somewhat different.
The composition of aviation gasoline are carefullyproven components resulting from specific technological processes. For example, aromatization of oil or catalytic reforming. Products obtained as a result of recycling, with the content of olefinic hydrocarbons, are not used in the production of aviation fuel.
Today, compared to conventional brands of gasolinefor the automotive industry, aviation varieties produce relatively little - only 2%. By the way, some engine models in aviation are capable of operating on standard A-95 gasoline. But still aviation gasoline is more stable and qualitative composition.
Indicators of the quality of aviation gasoline:
- Detonation resistance. Determined by the air-fuel mixture of different composition.
- Crystallization temperature - the lower it is, the higher the quality.
- Special fractional composition.
- The absence of resinous substances or the presence of them in a minimum quantity.
- Absence of sulfur compounds and acids.
- High calorific value.
- High anti-knock properties.
- Excellent storage stability.
All these characteristics determine the quality of aviation fuels, and hence the degree of reliability of the engine.
Brand classification and composition
Gasoline for aircraft engines varies bygrading indicators. This criterion is responsible for the power developed by the engine. For example, in gasoline B-91/115, the second number is just an indicator of grade, and the first is the octane number.
В отличие от автомобильного бензина, авиационный not divided into winter and summer varieties. Indeed, in flight there is always almost the same temperature, which depends little on the change of the season. But to any type of fuel in aviation they add more tetraethyl lead and strictly regulate the standards of sulfur and tar content. In order to ensure the required indices of heat of combustion and crystallization temperature, toluene, isomerizate, pyrobenzene and other components are also added to the composition.
The presence of special additives in the composition is indicated by the color of aviation fuel. It is usually bright yellow, bright green or orange.
Quality standards
In our country there are special requirements forcharacteristics of aviation fuel. In addition to the strict observance of environmental standards according to the Euro classification, there is a special technical regulation that regulates the requirements specifically for aviation gasoline and diesel jet fuel.
For example, in gasoline used in aviation,must be absent surfactants and chemicals, or present in a minimum amount that does not affect the performance properties. It must have a high oxidation stability. It is permissible in its composition content of tetraethyl lead. And it is permissible to add a blue dye to gasoline with a grade of at least 130.
In jet fuel mustthere are no impurities, such as water, sulfur, resinous substances. The crystallization temperature and kinematic viscosity are strictly regulated, and the indicators may vary for aircraft engines with subsonic and supersonic speeds.
As for the scope of use, the aviation gasoline is used only in engines of aircraft. Use for any other purpose is strictly prohibited.
