Why Does Aviation Fuel Spoil Over Time?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Aviation fuel, specifically kerosene-based jet fuel, spoils over time due to oxidation and the formation of sediments and gums. Unlike gasoline, which contains additives that accelerate degradation, kerosene is more stable but still susceptible to changes when exposed to air and moisture. The degradation process can lead to the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, further compromising fuel quality. Understanding these factors is crucial for maintaining the integrity of stored aviation fuel over extended periods.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kerosene chemistry and properties
  • Knowledge of fuel storage conditions and their effects
  • Familiarity with microbial contamination in fuels
  • Basic principles of oxidation and chemical degradation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the chemical composition of kerosene and its stability factors
  • Learn about fuel storage best practices to prevent degradation
  • Investigate microbial contamination in aviation fuels and mitigation strategies
  • Explore the impact of environmental factors on fuel quality over time
USEFUL FOR

Aviation fuel specialists, aircraft maintenance personnel, and anyone involved in fuel storage and quality assurance in the aviation industry.

SkepticJ
Messages
243
Reaction score
1
Number of weeks back I was reading in Wikipedia on plot holes in movies, one of the mentioned plot holes is in an awful movie I'm going to do my best to avoid: Battlefield Earth. But I digress. The plot hole, among others, is aviation fuel spoils after a few years, so it would be impossible to fuel aircraft on some stored for 1,000.

My question is why does it spoil? Is it the kerosene that goes bad, or something else? If the kerosene, why does it go bad? Just a hydrocarbon, unless it's bombarded by UV light, I don't see why it should ever go bad. Nothing really eats it, yet, except perhaps some kind of GM bacterium.
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Here is a link that explains what happens to Gasoline I would think the same process happens to kerosene just at a slower rate.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/060825.html
 
Hmmm, that makes sense. Plus car gas would decay faster than kerosene since oxidizers are mixed into gas to make it burn better. Not sure if kerosene-based aviation fuel has this done as well--I've found no mention of it.
 

Similar threads

Why is the U-2 nicknamed the Dragon Lady?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K
Two of my nonsense short stories
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K