Cetane Density, Saturates, Index, Aromatics and Hydrogen in Jet Fuel

Metrohm provides a turnkey solution for quality control of jet fuel using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Based on a pre-calibration model and a dedicated spectral database, this solution allows jet fuel manufacturers to lower the cost of their daily routine analysis while making their product quality much better.

Jet fuel is a product that is often used in military and civil aviation. Towards the end of the production process, several quality parameters have to be determined in order to ensure that the product matches the standards for use in aviation. Those parameters include American Petroleum Institute (API), Cetane Index (CI or CETI), aromatics, gravity, hydrogen and saturate content, flash, density, and freeze point, viscosity and different boiling points (T10, T20, T50).

These parameters are still frequently determined in the laboratory by time intensive physical and chemical analysis involving intricate sample preparation and sometimes expensive equipment.

However, NIRS requires neither chemicals nor sample preparation, it can even be used by non-chemists, and results can be obtained in less than a minute.

In addition, with a single measurement, multiple physical and chemical parameters can be determined at the same time. NIRS has become the ideal solution for a large number of daily QA/QC measurements or continuous process analysis in the petrochemical industry due to the combined benefits of this technology.

Easy-to-Use

• No expertise required
• Measure at the push of a button
• Turnkey solution

Fast

• Analysis results within one minute
• No sample preparation
• More than 15 minutes time saving compared to reference methods

Cost Minimizing

• Instant results from first day
• No reagents, no solvents
• No waste disposal

Clean

• Minimum impact on health and environment
• Non-destructive, chemical-free method

Turnkey Solution for Jet Fuel Analysis

The Metrohm solution for jet fuel analysis is available with ready-to-use pre-calibration models for the determination of American Petroleum Institute (API), Cetane Index (CI or CETI), aromatics, gravity, and hydrogen and saturate content, flash, density, and freeze point, viscosity and different boiling points (T10, T20, T50). Because of these pre-calibrations, it is possible to use the Metrohm solution as a starter model with no method development.

Reliable Results from Day One

The robust pre-calibration model enables accurate and precise determination of several chemical and physical quality parameters of jet fuel with exceptional reproducibility.

The performance of the pre-calibration can be enhanced even more, if a smaller calibration range is chosen or if it is improved with user specific samples.

Straightforward and Intuitive Operation

Vision Air software controls the Metrohm instruments for Vis-NIR. Vision Air offers two environments customized to users’ requirements: Vision Air Manager enables authorized and experienced users to control data and carry out instrument configurations while Vision Air routine facilitates secure daily operation by routine users. For daily quality control of gasoline, measurements can be carried out with two simple clicks.

Customized Service and Support

Metrohm enables supporting customers by updating the default pre-calibration on demand with customer specific samples. This in turn enhances the performance of the method and/or extends it to new applications. Such updates are effortlessly performed in the Vision Air Manager Network mode. With Vision Air Network, all instruments within a global customer network can be synchronized with just the push of button. Customer specific calibrations can be effortlessly developed for the determination of more quality parameters of jet fuel, for instance, pour point, water content, benzene content and others.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Metrohm AG.

For more information on this source, please visit Metrohm AG.