Jet Fuel Degradation Storage Problems

Jet fuel quality and degradation testing for jet fuels stored for long periods of time.

Jet fuel quality degradation occurs during long-term fuel storage operations. Intertek helps clients to monitor jet fuel quality and stability on a world-wide basis.

Depending upon location, trained personnel sample jet fuels from storage tanks, lines, trucks and aircraft. Prepaid sample shipment packages are available to clients for easy sampling and shipping to the labs. Intertek provides full specification testing worldwide for JET-A, JP5, JP8, and other aviation fuels. Intertek conforms to government, ASTM, IP, IATA and other recognized specifications and regulations. Jet fuel labs are located on a global basis, and are equipped to handle full jet fuel analysis according to ASTM D1655 protocols.

Jet fuel quality degradation occurs during long-term storage:

Fuel quality degradation needs to be identified, characterized and addressed whenever aviation fuel is stored for a length of time. Jet fuel can form gum and must be regularly monitored in order to avoid problems in the future with aircraft fuel systems.

Another danger to jet fuel quality is the growth of bacteria that develops within the product. Hydrocarbon utilizing micro-organisms can grow and develop in untreated Jet Fuel, causing fuel filter problems. If left untreated, bacteria growth can cause catastrophic problems in the future. Bacterial fuel contamination is usually overcome by treating the fuels with a biocide.

Adding biocide to stored fuel solves one problem but creates another. If boron is used, boron levels must be monitored to avoid over-treating of the fuel. Overdosing could cause further mechanical damage to the aircraft’s fuel system. Sampling and testing fuel quality in jet fuel storage tanks and in jet aircraft grounded for extended periods of time is advisable in order to monitor and catch at an early stage any evolving gum or bacterial problems. Routine quality control programs by Intertek are cost-effective and can prevent serious and costly problems with stored aircraft and jet fuel when the aircraft are called back into service.