Jet Fuels

In most cases, fuels are derived from a petroleum distillation cut, with an initial and final distillation point. These products are mixtures of numerous hydrocarbon compounds (several thousand to tens of thousands of molecules) whose carbon chain lengths are directly linked to the distillation range. More rarely, fuels may result from the conversion of natural gas or coal.

Jet fuel is specifically designed to power airplanes and helicopters equipped with turbomachinery (turbojets, turboprop engines or turboshaft engines). Its chemical composition varies according to the origin of crude oils, refining methods and processes used.

The main grade of jet fuel used in Europe is Jet A-1. It is essentially made up of molecules with between 9 and 15 carbon atoms. Its refinery cut is between gasoline and diesel. It is suitable for all commercial aircraft and is the standard fuel for turbines used in air transport worldwide.

Due to the stringent constraints associated with aeronautical use (altitude properties, absence of water and suspended solids, stability at low and high temperatures, etc.) and the dramatic consequences of a fuel not meeting the strict quality criteria described in the standards, these kerosenes are products with particularly demanding international civil specifications. The governments of many countries maintain separate specifications for jet fuel for military use, for operational or logistical reasons, or to meet the operating requirements of military engines. For most uses, however, military jet fuel generally remains fairly close to the properties of civil jet fuel.

Fluctuating oil prices, the prospect of depleting fossil fuel resources, potential geopolitical supply problems and environmental considerations are prompting nations to consider diversifying their energy resources and turning to alternative fuels.

The challenge is to minimize environmental impact while reducing energy dependency and anticipating the scarcity of resources.

The search for alternative fuels involves many different countries and fields, including civil and military aviation fuels.

In all cases, there is one essential imperative to be respected in air transport, even more so than in other modes of transport: safety. Unlike all other modes of transport, fuel is the only fluid used on board for multiple purposes: aircraft balancing, heat transfer fluid, lubricant cooling, etc. This represents an additional constraint on fuel properties, particularly in terms of thermal stability. This represents an additional constraint on fuel properties, particularly in terms of thermal stability. Furthermore, the main rule for flight safety is redundancy of aircraft...