Fuel differences (Split from the Oxford Incident thread)

[lc_aerobatics]

Originally Posted by 2dmoon

Re the fuel differences, I have to agree with EGBKFLYER I was always taught that avgas is far more potent/dangerous than Jet A1 (however where Unleaded 95 fits between them all, not too sure)

From another site....

A major problem with gasoline is that it has what is known as a low "flashpoint." This is the temperature at which it produces fumes that can be ignited by an open flame. Gasoline has a flashpoint of around 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degree Celsius). Volatility is a measure of a fuel's ability to evaporate under varying conditions.

The temperature range at which fuel vapor concentrations can be explosive (at ground level in an equilibrium state) are approximately:
1. Avgas 10 to 40 degrees Celsius;
2. Kerosene’s (Avtur, Jet A-1) +38 to +80 degrees Celsius.
3. Wide-cut fuels (JP-4) 20 to +10 degrees Celsius.

Implying easier/more dangerous with Avgas than Jet A1

and if you are mad about fuel, a google search brought this up... Fuel Technologies

Ocantan applies to pertol and Avgas
The octane rating is a measure of the autoignition resistance of gasoline (petrol) and other fuels used in spark-ignition internal combustion engines
Higher octane number = higher ingition resistance, so Avgas is harder to ignite then petrol.
.
Lesson ;-

Centan applies to Diesel and Jet A1
What is the Cetane Number...?
The Cetane Number is a measure of the ignition quality of a diesel fuel.
It is often mistaken as a measure of fuel quality.
The Cetane number is actually a measure of a fuel's ignition delay.
This is the time period between the start of injection and start of combustion (ignition) of the fuel.
In a particular diesel engine, higher cetane fuels will have shorter ignition delay periods than lower cetane fuels.
Cetane number should not be considered alone when evaluating diesel fuel quality.
API gravity, BTU content, distillation range, sulfur content, stability and flash point are also very important.
In colder weather, cloud point and low temperature filter plugging point may be critical factors.