Steven R. Westbrook

Jet kerosene fuels for military diesel application

The United States Department of Defense has proposed the use of one fuel for combat, JP-8, in ground vehicles and equipment as well as in aircraft. To support this proposal, the Defense Fuel Supply Center requested that samples of JP-8, JP-5, and Jet A-1 from worldwide sources representing tenders of products destined for DOD bases be evaluated. Properties affecting diesel engine operation, i.e., cetane number, calculated cetane indices, kinematic viscosities at 40 o and 70 o C, and net heat of combustion were evaluated and compared to the requirements of Federal Specification VV-F-800D and NATO F-54. Several inspection tests were also conducted, and the data were compared to that information supplied by the refiners. Frequency histograms and other statistics for many properties are presented

Survey of Low Sulfur Diesel Fuels and Aviation Kerosenes from U.S. Military Installations

Abstract : In support of the Department of Defense goal to streamline procurements, the Army recently decided to discontinue use of VV-F-800D as the purchase specification for diesel fuel being supplied to continental United States military installations. The Army will instead issue a commercial item description for direct fuel deliveries under the Post/Camp/Station (PCS) contract bulletin program. In parallel, the Defense Fuel Supply Center (DFSC) and the U.S. Army Mobility Technology Center-Belvoir (MTCB at Ft Belvoir, VA) initiated a fuel survey to assess the general quality and lubricity characteristics of low sulfur diesel fuels being supplied to military installations under the PCS system. Under this project, diesel fuel delivery samples were obtained from selected military installations and analyzed according to a predetermined protocol. The results obtained from various tests show that the average, low-sulfur diesel fuel meets military requirements for DF-2 with the exception of lubricity performance. Proposed fuel lubricity requirements for military, ground-vehicle, diesel fuels are presented.

Methodology for identification of diesel fuel system contaminants related to problems in the field

Field problem surveillance for the Army has identified vehicle power loss caused by premature fuel filter plugging as a major maintenance and readiness problem. A systematic approach to the analysis of fuel system contaminants has been partially developed. First, a set of reference materials was gathered based on the most commonly encountered fuel system contaminant. The most useful microscopic and spectroscopic techniques and their utility for examining the various types of contaminants were identified. The individual reference materials were characterized for use in comparison to actual field samples. Sample preparation procedures were developed for fuel filters, fuel samples, and fuel tank sludge samples. A scheme for the final analysis of the prepared samples was devised. This methodology requires some technical judgment in assessing the relative amounts of some of the contaminant types; however, this methodology provides a step-by-step means of determining the identify of fuel system contaminants.

Army needs for diesel fuel stability and cleanliness

This paper reviews the general topic of fuel deterioration. Primary emphasis is on diesel fuels used in compression ignition engines, which power the majority of Army tactical and combat vehicles. Field problems regarding the fuel stability and related problems are summarized, and the status of on-going research and development programs is outlined. This information places in perspective the background which has prompted current research activities to detect, predict, and prevent fuel stability-associated equipment failures. Concern for anticipating deleterious product formation in current and future fuel formulations composed of diverse petroleum crude and synthetic (shale or coal) crude oils, fuel/equipment interactions, diverse storage conditions, and the increased desire for prolonged storage periods provides the driving factors in defining the Armys fuel stability research programs. While placing these concerns in perspective, the Armys present and future needs for diesel fuel stability and cleanliness control are identified.