JP-10 (Jet Propellant 10) is a

synthetic Synthetic may refer to: Science * Synthetic biology * Synthetic chemical or compound, produced by the process of chemical synthesis * Synthetic elements, chemical elements that are not naturally found on Earth and therefore have to be created in ...

jet fuel Jet fuel or aviation turbine fuel (ATF, also abbreviated avtur) is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by Gas turbine, gas-turbine engines. It is colorless to straw-colored in appearance. The most commonly used fuels for ...

, specified and used mainly as fuel in

missiles A missile is an airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight aided usually by a propellant, jet engine or rocket motor. Historically, 'missile' referred to any projectile that is thrown, shot or propelled towards a target; this u ...

. Being designed for military purposes, it is not a

kerosene Kerosene, or paraffin, is a combustibility, combustible hydrocarbon liquid which is derived from petroleum. It is widely used as a fuel in Aviation fuel, aviation as well as households. Its name derives from the Greek (''kērós'') meaning " ...

based fuel. Developed to be a

gas turbine A gas turbine or gas turbine engine is a type of Internal combustion engine#Continuous combustion, continuous flow internal combustion engine. The main parts common to all gas turbine engines form the power-producing part (known as the gas gene ...

fuel for

cruise missiles A cruise missile is an unmanned self-propelled guided missile that sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large payload over long distances with high precision. Modern cru ...

, it contains mainly exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (exo-THDCPD) with some endo-isomer impurity. About 100 ppm of alkylphenol-based

antioxidant Antioxidants are Chemical compound, compounds that inhibit Redox, oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce Radical (chemistry), free radicals. Autoxidation leads to degradation of organic compounds, including living matter. Antioxidants ...

is added to prevent gumming. Optionally, 0.10–0.15% of fuel system icing inhibitor may be added. Exo-THDCPD is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of

dicyclopentadiene Dicyclopentadiene, abbreviated DCPD, is a chemical compound with formula . At room temperature, it is a white brittle wax, although lower purity samples can be straw coloured liquids. The pure material smells somewhat of soy wax or camphor, with ...

and then isomerization. It superseded JP-9, which is a mixture of norbornadiene-based RJ-5 fuel, tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene and

methylcyclohexane Methylcyclohexane (cyclohexylmethane) is an organic compound with the molecular formula is CH3C6H11. Classified as saturated hydrocarbon, it is a colourless liquid with a faint odor. Methylcyclohexane is used as a solvent. It is mainly converted ...

, because of a lower temperature service limit and about four times lower price. Since the lack of volatile methylcyclohexane makes its ignition difficult, a separate priming fluid PF-1 with about 10-12% of this additive is required for the engine start-up. Its main use is in the

Tomahawk A tomahawk is a type of single-handed axe used by the many Native Americans in the United States, Indian peoples and nations of North America, traditionally resembles a hatchet with a straight shaft. Etymology The name comes from Powhatan langu ...

missiles. The Russian equivalent is called '.

Chemical properties of JP-10 fuel

* Chemical formula: C₁₀H₁₆ * H/C (Hydrogen/Carbon) ratio (mole): 1.6 * Average molecular weight (g/mol): 136.2 * LHV (lower heating value) (MJ/kg): 43.0

Uses

JP-10 absorbs heat energy, so is

endothermic An endothermic process is a chemical or physical process that absorbs heat from its surroundings. In terms of thermodynamics, it is a thermodynamic process with an increase in the enthalpy (or internal energy ) of the system.Oxtoby, D. W; Gillis, ...

with a relatively high density of 940 kg/m³. It has a low freezing point of less than and the flash point is . The high energy density of 39.6 MJ/L makes it ideal for military aerospace applications - its primary use. The ignition and burn chemistry has been extensively studied. The exo isomer also has a low freezing point. Its other properties have also been studied extensively. Even though its uses are mainly for the military, the relatively high cost has meant research has been undertaken to find lower costs routes including the use of cellulosic materials.

Further research

Current and past areas of research focus on: * The pyrolysis and kinetics of the fuel. * Catalytic addition of nanoparticles such as those based on

cerium(IV) oxide Cerium(IV) oxide, also known as ceric oxide, ceric dioxide, ceria, cerium oxide or cerium dioxide, is an oxide of the rare-earth metal cerium. It is a pale yellow-white powder with the chemical formula CeO2. It is an important commercial produc ...

. * Catalysis for the endo to exo isomerisation. * Use of additives in JP-10 for various enhancements.

Chemical properties of JP-10 fuel

Uses

Further research

References

Further reading