Mimic Physical Properties of Avaiation Fuel 1

[jdarcy]

Hi all,

I am after a liquid, preferably water-based that mimics the physical properties of aviation fuel. I do not want anything flammable or explosive, just something that will simulate its physical properties particularly when under pressure.

I am sure there must be some additive that you can add to water that will alter its properties to that of aviation fuel?

Has anyone got any ideas?

Many thanks is advance if you are able to suggest something. I will post in the aerospace area also in case someone there has any chemical background.

With best regards,

J

 

[UmeshMathur]

Which particular properties do you want to mimic?

 

[IRstuff]

Please do not make multiple postings:
thread31-152853

TTFN

 

[jmw]

Well, odoruless kerosene is often used as a calibration fluid simply because the risks are manageable.
I would guess that comes pretty close but as UmeshMathur aks, what properties do you want to mimic?
More importantly, do you need to mimic all the properties at the same time?

You mention pressure specifically and one wonders what sort of pressure? At high pressure you will need to represent the compressibility and at high pressure you may also find some viscosity changes... depends on what "high" means and what it is you want to learn.

Note: aviation fuel is not a uniform fluid; some are controlled properties and others are not. Properties may vary from one batch to another depending on the refinery processess that preceded its production.
For example, the density can vary significantly from one batch to another which is why it is important to measure denisty when fuelling aircraft inorder to obtain the weight.

If it is a real problem the best solution may be to accept that only aviation fuels (plural) will do and then set about managing the risks.

Incidentally, is this aviation fuel with or without fire retardents? I don't know enough about this myself but I am sure someone else does.... don't aviation fuels have fire retardents to prevent ingnition in the event of a spill e.g. if a plane crashes on take off.... but maybe I'm ahead of myself on this as the only reference a quick search finds is:

http://newton.nap.edu/html/aviation/

from 1997.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[jdarcy]

Good morning all,

Thank you for your replies and please accept my apologies for posting in multiple forums.

The reason for this requirement is that we test the fittings that are swaged onto fuel pipes for leaks using a pressure test. The pipes are connected together in series and white spirit is pumped into the pipes and pressurised. There is then a visual inspection to check for leaks (from behind a safety screen!).

Typically the pressure test operates in a range of 150-400 psi, depending on the diameter and thickness of the pipes gettting tested.

White spirit is used as it closely mimics the properties of the fuel yet is safer to use on 'the shop floor'.

I am trying to phase out the white spirit and use a water-based replacement (particularly because of health and safety, environment and cleaning reasons).

I know of a chemical 'VOLPO T7/85 (ET05561) - Ethoxy (7) Tridecanol' which they use in the fuel systems business. It's used to reduce the surface tension of the water, bringing it more inline with that of fuel so that it is possible to test how the fuel travels around tanks, through overflows etc. etc.

I guess I am after a product that acts in a similar way to fuel in terms of viscosity and compressibility.

I hope I have made myself clearer.

Thank you all!

James

 

[jmw]

At 400 pisg I suspect compressibility is not an issue either on density or viscosity.
In which case you could use any fluid with similar viscosity.
You could try a search for calibration fluids on the net as there are companies that specialise in supplying fluids of particular viscosities - easier done with high viscosities but these are the companies that might help you.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[j2bprometheus]

Hi-

We use a VISCOR calibration fluid to simulate diesel fuel. There are probably similar products to simulate aviation fuel.


You should find some info if you do a search for this:

VISCOR 1487 SAE J-967 ISO 4113



j2bprometheus