Jet Fuel Testing

• Aerocheck is a  complete testing solution for aircraft fuel, lubricant and hydraulic systems. 

• Visual Appearance
• Colour
• Particulate Contamination
• Particulate, channel particle count

• Acidity
• Aniline Point
• Anti-icing Additives
• Aromatic Hydrocarbon Types
• Copper Content
• Total Sulphur
• Mercaptan Sulphur
• Doctor Test
• Refining Components, including Synthetic components

EI/JIG 1530 and Defence Standard 91-091/10 has specific instructions regarding product certification and traceability.  Traceability is defined as the ability to track distinct batches of fuel through the distribution system right back to the point of manufacture.  This requires batch volumes and quality documentation with information on additive concentration, and fuel processes (hydroprocessed and synthetic fuel) to be maintained throughout the system.

• Distillation
• API Gravity, API Density
• Flash Point

• Freezing Point
• Viscosity @ -20°C 

ASTM D1655 is the American equivalent specification to DEFSTAN 91-091. This specification defines the following specific types of aviation fuel for civil use: Jet A; and Jet A-1. The fuels shall be sampled and tested appropriately to examine their conformance to detailed requirements as to composition, volatility, fluidity, combustion, corrosion, thermal stability, contaminants, and additives.

• Burning Quality
• Smoke Point
• Naphthalenes 
• Specific Energy 
• Hydrogen Content
• Carbon Residue (Ramsbottom)

• Copper Corrosion

This test method covers the procedure for rating the tendencies of gas turbine fuels to deposit decomposition products within the fuel system. The instrument subjects the test fuel to conditions that can be related to those occurring in gas turbine engine fuel systems.

 

• Existent Gum

• MSEP
• MCELL

• FAME content by HPLC
• FAME content by GCMS
• FAME content by Rapid Screening

• Electrical Conductivity

• Defence Standard 91-091 requires lubricity to ASTM D5001 for some fuels to ensure sufficient lubricity for aircraft use. Services include BOCLE, scuffing BOCLE and HFRR.

With the global focus on a route to net zero by 2050, the aviation industry has turned to using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a blending component in order to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation. There are now over 40 airports distributing SAF worldwide supplied from 9 ICAO approved processes.

Intertek supports this process through its global laboratory network. Intertek has the capability to test SAF to the required ASTM D7566 specification including ASTM D2425. Testing can be conducted throughout the product life cycle, from R&D conception through to cargo inspection and delivery to the end user.

Intertek provides compositional testing for Jet A1 fuel and biofuel blends. Rapid quality control testing helps identify fuel contamination issues, confirmation fuel safety, detect trace unwanted residues, and more.

 

Fuel can degrade or become contaminated in storage. Services include expertise in defect investigation, accident investigation and analysis of suspect aviation fuels.  

Particulate in both fuel and air can cause operation problems in jet engines. Services include identification of particulate and wear in engine components or from filters using scanning electron microscopy.