Turbine Fuel Thermal Stability - from Refinery to Supersonic Transport

Delivery of high quality fuels to commercial turbine engine aircraft may become more critical for supersonic transport operation. This paper presents high temperature stability test results on current aviation turbine fuel samples taken from refineries and airports throughout the world. Transportation methods involve combinations of tanker, barge, multiproduct pipeline, and truck movements. Data show that, through the application of proper handling techniques, fuels can be transported from refinery to aircraft, through complex distribution systems, with no significant loss in thermal stability. Data also indicate that current aviation turbine fuels are well above the minimum thermal stability specification limits for present subsonic jet aircraft.