Diesel Fuel

[galaxy flyer]

Considering the wiki article says:

Commercial aviation uses a similar mixture under the name Jet-A.

I'd say it has been in use for a long time.

GF

[DERG]

That ain't JP8 then.

[Brian Abraham]

I do wish people would do a modicum of research before posting opinions.

http://www.exxonmobilaviation.com/Av...Spec2008_1.pdf

[DERG]

That's a useful link Brian. Not all of us are as skilled in using the search engines. Thank you.

[rigpiggy]

SERVICE BULLETIN
P&WC S.B. No. 1244R18
Jul 24/75 PT6A-72-1244
Revision No. 18: Feb 14/2000 Page 16 of 16
TURBOPROP ENGINE
ENGINE FUELS AND ADDITIVES - REQUIREMENTS AND APPROVED LISTING

3. Accomplishment Instructions (Cont’d)
TABLE 13, Emergency Fuels Approved Fuels Subject to Restrictions on Use
Fuel Type ASTM IATA
U.S. Federal
U.S. Military
Canadian
CGSB Restrictions on Use
Automotive Diesel Fuel (CPW46)
(Arctic Grade)
D975 No. 1D - VV-F-800
DF-A CAN 2-3.6
M88 Type A Shall not be used below +5 °F (-15 °C) ground OAT

Automotive Diesel Fuel (Winter Grade)
- - VV-F-800 DF-1
CAN 2-3.6
M88 Type A Shall not be used below +20 °F (-7 °C) ground OAT

Automotive Diesel Fuel (Regular Grade)
D975 No. 2D - VV-F-800
DF-2
CAN 2-3.6
M88 Type B
Shall not be used below +40 °F (+5 °C) ground OAT

Aviation Gasoline
(Grades: 80, 100
&
100 LL)
- - MIL-G-5572 CAN 2-3.25
M82
Shall not be
used for more
than 150 hours
during any
period between
engine
overhauls.
NOTE: 1. Unless otherwise specified intermittent or continued use of this fuel for up to 1000
hours is allowed provided satisfactory fuel nozzle inspection results are achieved at the approved
intervals.
NOTE: 2. Unless otherwise specified continued use of this fuel for more than 1000 hours is
allowed provided periodic fuel nozzle inspection results are found acceptable by
P&WC.
NOTE: 3. After the use of diesel fuel containing dyes of Grade 80 aviation gasoline, the fuel
system must be flushed.
4. Appendix
Not applicable.
PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA
SERVICE BULLETIN
P&WC S.B. No. 1244R18
Jul 24/

[piggybank]

The Lama helicopter runs well on vehicle quality diesel fuel. I have used it several times. However a engine log book entry gets made and there is a limit of how much running can be done that way between overhauls. If my memory serves me right, in the case of the Lama its 75 hours per overhaul period.

[Brian Abraham]

Aide Memoire on Fuels in NATO

AVIATION FUELS

NATO CODE

F-18: is an aviation gasoline (low lead) in limited use by certain NATO nations. Also known as AVGAS 100LL.
F-34: is a military kerosene type aviation turbine fuel with Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII) (NOTE 1) used by land based military gas turbine engined aircraft in all NATO countries. (NOTE 2) Also known as JP-8 or AVTUR/FSII.
JET A-1 or AVTUR + Additives (NOTE 3) = JP-8 or AVTUR/FSII.
F-35: is a military kerosene type aviation turbine fuel equivalent to that used by most civil operators of gas turbine engined aircraft. Also known as JET A-1 or AVTUR.
JET A-1 or AVTUR; therefore F-34 = F-35 + Additives.
F-40: is a military wide cut type aviation turbine fuel with FSII used by land based military gas turbine engined aircraft (NOTE 2). Also known as JP-4 or AVTAG/FSII. Within NATO it is an emergency substitute for F-34/F-35.
F-44: is a military high flash point kerosene type aviation turbine fuel with FSII used by ship borne military gas turbine engine aircraft in most NATO countries. Also known as JP-5 or AVCAT/FSII JET A and JET B (See NOTES 4 and 5)

NOTES:

1. FSII NATO Code S-1745. Additive to aviation turbine fuels as system icing inhibitor.
2. Until 1986, F-40 was used by land based gas turbine engined aircraft in all NATO countries except France and the United Kingdom which had converted to F-34 some 15 years earlier. Following a decision by NATO Defence Ministers all nations except Turkey switched from F-40 to F-34. The conversion (known as Stage 1 of the Single Fuel Concept) was completed in 1988. Turkey completed its conversion from F-40 to F-34 in 1996.
3. The term "additives" used in this Aide Memoire can include FSII corrosion inhibitor/lubricity improver additive and static-dissipator additive (SDA).
4. JET A is a civil grade of kerosene type aviation turbine fuel only supplied for operations in the United States. It has a freezing point of -40°C max which differs from JET A-1 (-47oC).
5. JET B is a civil grade of wide cut type aviation turbine fuel which has a different freezing point (-50oC) from F-40 (-58oC) and does not normally contain FSII.
6. For further details about these fuels, see Annex C to STANAG 1135.

GROUND FUELS

GASOLINES

F-46: is a military fuel used in certain armoured and non-armoured vehicle spark ignition engines in NATO Europe areas outside Denmark and the United Kingdom. Also known as gasoline automotive: Military (91 RON) or COMBATGAS. Availability of this fuel is now limited and has been replaced by F-57.
F-57: low leaded gasoline introduced to replace F-46. It is interchangeable with commercial gasoline automotive (98 RON).
F-67: unleaded gasoline automotive interchangeable with commercial gasoline (95 RON).

DIESEL FUELS

F-54: is a military fuel used in compression ignition engines in NATO Europe areas outside Denmark, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. Also known as Diesel Fuel: MILITARY or DF-2. It has a Pour Point specification of 18°C maximum.
F-65: low temperature diesel/kerosene fuel blend.
F-75: is a military fuel used in compression ignition engines in Denmark and Greece. It is normally referred to as FUEL NAVAL DISTILLATE, low pour point. (See Naval fuels).

NOTE: For further details about these fuels, see Annex C to STANAG 1135.

NAVAL FUELS

F-75: is a naval fuel used in compression ignition engines and in naval gas turbines and ships' boilers for steam raising. Also known as FUEL, NAVAL DISTILLATE, low pour point. (See Ground Fuels).
F-76: is the primary naval fuel used as for F-75 above but it may require special handling and storage due to low temperature characteristics. Also known as FUEL, NAVAL DISTILLATE (NOTE 1).
F-77: is a naval residual fuel used for boiler steam raising for certain ships in France, Greece and Turkey. Also known as FUEL, RESIDUAL, light viscosity boiler or 50/50 FFO (NOTE 2).

NOTES:

1. Alternative turbine/diesel engine fuel for use in certain naval helicopters.
2. F-77 may also be used in slow speed diesel engines.
3. F-44 Naval aviation turbine fuels - see Aviation Fuels.
4. For further details about these fuels, see Annex C to STANAG 1135.

NATO Logistics Handbook: Chapter 15: Fuels, Oils, Lubricants and Petroleum Handling Equipment

[onetrack]

It's not helpful that there is conflict between the FAA advisory on fuels for certain engines (as posted by Brian in post #10), the ExxonMobil World Jet Fuel specs brochure, and the P & W Canada, Service Bulletin.

From the FAA advisory - "Diesel Fuel approval limited to TPE331-1-101Z engine only, and usage at ambient temperatures above +15°F.
Aviation gasoline MIL-G-5572D, Grade 80/87, not in excess of 1000 gallons per 100 hours of operation, may be used for emergency fuel operation.

As regards the ExxonMobil World Jet Fuel specs brochure (post #23)... the word "diesel", cannot be found anywhere in that document...

ExxonMobil do have a bold and unambiguous statement (page 41) that, "(ExxonMobil) does not support or approve the use of automotive gasoline or diesel fuel in piston engine powered aircraft".

And from the P & W bulletin, as linked in post #13, above...

CAUTION: ALTHOUGH DIESEL AND HEATING FUELS ARE CHEMICALLY SIMILAR TO JET FUELS, THEIR COLD FLOW, VISCOSITY AND FREEZING POINT
CHARACTERISTICS ARE SPECIFICALLY CONTROLLED DURING REFINING TO A LEVEL GENERALLY NOT SUITABLE FOR USE IN AIRCRAFT. (in bold, capitals, and very large print, as in the original).

A temperature limitation of +15°F makes diesel fuel, a tightly conditions-restricted fuel, once you get airborne.

[Brian Abraham]

It's not helpful that there is conflict between the FAA advisory on fuels for certain engines, the ExxonMobil World Jet Fuel specs brochure, and the P & W Canada, Service Bulletin.

No conflict at all really onetrack. The Exxon document confines itself to fuel refined purposely for aircraft use.

The FAA has given by its own authority operators of TPE331-1-101Z engines to use diesel. From what I can ascertain operation of this engine is confined to agricultural operators.

P & W approve the use of diesel subject to the limitations given as you note (temperature).

Also note NATO F-76 diesel may be used in certain helicopters.

"(ExxonMobil) does not support or approve the use of automotive gasoline or diesel fuel in piston engine powered aircraft".

This is merely the company giving its position for possible liability action. The FAA, and many other aviation authorities, have given approval for the use of automotive gasoline of approved quality in certain aircraft. I've not checked diesel powered aircraft as to whether diesel use is permitted against the usual jet fuel.

[Dan Winterland]

Some military aircraft are, or have been in the past, cleared to use deisel. The British Scout helicopter and Russian SU25 are two.