Antimisting action of polymeric additives in jet fuels

Abstract

Abstract Polymeric solutes in jet fuel can serve to increase greatly the droplet size and reduce flammability in fuel sprays created by high‐velocity wind shear. Photographic and spark‐ignition studies show that high molecular weight polyisobutylenes can be effective at levels below 100 ppm, where they cause only slight increases in fuel viscosity. The effectiveness of the polymers increases with molecular weight and is very well correlated by the elongational viscosity of the solution, as measured by the ductless siphon height.