Facts About Jet Fuel
Jet fuel is a petroleum based fuel generally used in turbine driven aircraft, though diesel vehicles can also run on jet fuel. Both commercial airlines and the military make use of jet fuel.
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Types
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The most common type of jet fuel, according to alglas.com, is called Jet A-1, but an alternate fuel used only in extreme cold weather is called Jet B. The military employs a different designation system with different fuel types starting with JP and followed by a number, according to cgsnetwork.com.
Composition
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Jet fuel is made out of kerosene, primarily, and Jet A-1 also includes paraffin oil (a kind of mineral oil). Historically, reports alglas.com, some jet fuels were a gasoline-kerosene mixture.
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Additives
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Jet fuels commonly receive a number additives to prevent icing inside of the fuel system, reduce static, and prevent gumming and corrosion.
Flashpoint
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Like all petroleum based fuels, jet fuel is flammable, and most commercial airlines will employ Jet A-1 or the very similar Jet A because of the higher fuel flashpoint of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This reduces the risk of accidental ignition of the fuel during transport and handling.
Alternatives
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At present (2010), the only alternative fuel source approved for use, according to airlines.org, is a type of synthetic jet fuel made via the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process. This process converts coal, natural gas and low end petroleum products into a diesel substitute.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of eisenbahner
