Evaluation Of A Detector For Free Water In Fuel

Item

Title
Evaluation Of A Detector For Free Water In Fuel
Date
1966
Index Abstract
Coming Soon
Photo Quality
Not Needed
Report Number
AFAPL TR 66-39
Creator
Johnston, Robert K.
Monita, Charles M.
Corporate Author
Southwest Research Inst San Antonio TX
Laboratory
Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory
Extent
52
NTRL Accession Number
AD481506
Identifier
AD0481506
Access Rights
Export Controls
Distribution Classification
1
Contract
AF 33(615)-2327
DoD Project
8169
DoD Task
816901
DTIC Record Exists
Yes
Distribution Change Authority Correspondence
AFAPL LTR
Abstract
A test apparatus for detecting small amounts of free water in jet fuels, which was developed by a Navy group, has been subjected to various evaluations. The test method consists of passing a fuel sample through a dye-coated test pad and then comparing the fluorescence level of the pad under ultraviolet illumination with that of permanent color standards. Based on static evaluations of the apparatus using standard water-in-fuel dispersions, the accuracy and precision are well within 5 mg/liter in the range of free water contents up to 20 mg/liter. In analyzing effluent fuel from filter-separator tests by this method, it often shows traces of free water when the standard Karl Fischer analyses indicate undersaturated fuel; this apparent discrepancy is cause by nonequilibrium conditions of water distribution in the effluent fuel. Based on rather limited data, the sensitivity of the free water detector is not affected adversely by normal concentrations of anti-icing additive, corrosion inhibitor, or iron oxide contaminant in the fuels. In comparison with the Karl Fischer method, the free water detector is far simpler and faster and is believed to give more meaningful results. The detector appears to be very suitable for use in preproduction testing of filter-separators and elements. It should also be adaptable for use in base fuel quality control by relatively unskilled personnel, particularly if equipment manufacturers can develop prepackaged pad holders and comparator viewing instruments suitable for field use. Under field conditions, direct line sampling through a water detector pad will be more reliable than the use of bottled samples. It is recommended that field trials and further laboratory evaluations should be performed to establish more firmly whether the variety of fuel contaminants encountered in the field will interfere with the sensitivity of the method.
Report Availability
Full text available
Date Issued
1966-04
Publisher
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH : Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory, Research and Technology Division, Air Force Systems Command
Provenance
Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
Type
report
Format
1 online resource