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JP-8, or JP8 (for "Jet Propellant 8") is a jet fuel, specified in 1990 by the U.S. government. It is kerosene-based. It is a replacement for the JP-4 fuel; the U.S. Air Force replaced JP-4 with JP-8 completely by the fall of 1996, to use a less flammable, less hazardous fuel for better safety and combat survivability. U.S. Navy uses a similar formula to JP-8, JP-5. JP-8 is projected to remain in use at least until 2025. It was first introduced at NATO bases in 1978. Its NATO code is F-34. It is specified by MIL-DTL-83133 and British Defence Standard 91-87.
In the U.S. military, JP-8 and JP-5 are used in the diesel engines of nearly all tactical ground vehicles and electrical generators. The M1 Abrams series of battle tanks also uses JP fuel in its gas turbine engine. The use of a single fuel for most combat applications greatly simplifies wartime logistics.
Commercial aviation uses a similar mixture under the name Jet-A. JP-8 in addition contains icing inhibitor, corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, and antistatic agents.
JP-5 has an even higher flash point than JP-8, but it also has prohibitively higher cost, limiting its use to aircraft carriers.
Outside of powering aircraft, JP-8 is used as a fuel for heaters, stoves, tanks, internal combustion engine powered electrical generators (as a replacement for diesel fuel), and other military vehicles, and serves as a coolant in engines and some other aircraft components.
JP-8 contains less benzene (a carcinogen) and less n-hexane (a neurotoxin) than JP-4. However, it also smells stronger than JP-4. JP-8 has an oily feel to the touch, while JP-4 feels more like a solvent. Workers have complained of smelling and tasting JP-8 for hours after exposure. As JP-8 is less volatile, it remains on the contaminated surfaces for longer time, increasing the risk of exposure.[1]
JP-8+100 is a version of JP-8 with an additive that increases its thermal stability by 56°C (100°F). The additive is a combination of a surfactant, metal deactivator, and an antioxidant. It was introduced in 1994. The additive reduces coking and fouling in engine fuel systems. Commercially, this additive is used in Boeing aircraft operated by KLM, and in police helicopters in Tampa, Florida. [1] It is also used as fuel for Canadian CF-18 Hornets.
JP-8 fuel is used at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, for heating, electrical generation, and melting ice for water. It is used because it will not gel at low temperatures.
JP-8 is also used by Army Food Service Specialists (cooks) to fuel Modern Burner Units (MBUs) IAW Army Field Feeding Manual FM 10-23.
JP-8 is used for military diesel engines too. Because Cetane number is not specified this aviation fuel is causing troubles in modern highly supercharged engines during cold start and idling due to low compression temperatures and following ignition delay. Because lubricity is not specified, modern rail diesel engines can experience problems in high pressure fuel pumps and injectors.
See also
References
- ^ Day, Dwayne A.. "Aviation Fuel". U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Evolution_of_Technology/fuel/Tech21.htm.
External links
- MIL-DTL-83133E technical specifications (includes JP-8) United States Defense Energy Support Center
- MIL-DTL-46162E referee fuel Diesel and JP-8 United States Defense Energy Support Center
- Current United States Department of Defense Fuel Prices
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