Revised ASTM Standard Allows for More Biofuel Contamination in Jet Fuels
February 05, 2015A revision to ASTM International’s Aviation Turbine Fuel Standard (ASTM D1655) expands the limit on biofuel contamination in jet fuels.
The initial standard was to maintain an undetectable level of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). These are often left behind in distribution systems after biodiesel blends have been used. Traces of FAME can be picked up by jet fuel, which later uses the same distribution system.
The revised standard increases the allowable cross-contamination of FAME in jet fuel from 5.0 parts per million (ppm) to 50 ppm.
“The jet fuel specification keeps the aviation industry safe while adapting to the expanded presence of biofuels,” says ASTM member David J. Abdallah, Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering. “In fact, no discernible negative impact on jet fuel product quality was observed with up to 400 ppm of biodiesel.” Abdallah adds that a potential future revision could further increase the standard to allow 100 ppm.
The body of evidence used to support this revision included "EI-JIP Report, Joint Industry Project: Seeking original equipment manufacturer (OEM) approvals for 100 mg/kg of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in aviation turbine fuel." This study demonstrated that increasing the allowable levels of FAME in jet fuel would not compromise aircraft safety or adversely affect aircraft operation.
Question or comment about this article? Contact an editor: engineering360editors@ihs.com
More Resources:
