Polycyclic alkanes based high density hydrocarbon fuels preparation and evaluation for LFRJ application

Abstract

Two polycyclic alkane based high density thermally stable hydrocarbon fuels DPCR-2 and DPCR-3 were prepared from processed special petroleum fraction DPCR-1 for LFRJ application. These fuels were subjected to detailed physico-chemical characterization and found to have improved density (0.844 to 0.846 g cm⁻³ @ 20 °C), low aromatic content (<5%), low sulphur content and high flash point (>62 °C). These newly developed fuels exhibit better properties than aviation turbine fuel (ATF/Jet A-1). The theoretical as well as experimental ramjet performance such as characteristic velocity and chamber pressure for both the fuels are higher than ordinary Jet-A1 and comparable with similar high density T-6 fuel. These fuels show superior storage characteristics in an elastomeric fuel system such as acrylonitrile butadiene rubber used in missile applications. DPCR-2 and DPCR-3 developed for LFRJ application are found to be very promising in terms of performance, density, availability and cost effectiveness in comparison with Jet A-1 fuel which is presently being used in a number of air breathing propulsion systems.