Sylvie Willis
The use of diesel and jet fuel in aircraft engines has been a topic of discussion and experimentation for many years. While diesel fuel can technically be used in aircraft, it is not commonly practised today due to the potential for long-term engine damage and the availability of jet fuel specifically designed for aviation. Jet fuel, or aviation turbine fuel, is widely used in commercial aviation and is designed to meet strict international specifications for safety, reliability, and performance. While there have been instances of jet fuel being used in diesel engines, it is not recommended due to differences in specifications and legal requirements, as well as potential fines and engine damage.
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What You'll Learn
Jet fuel is cleaner-burning than diesel
Jet fuel and diesel fuel have more in common than one might think. Historically, jet fuel and diesel were quite similar in extraction, production, composition, and application. However, today, there are some key differences between the two types of fuel.
One of the main differences is the application of these distinct types of fuel. Diesel fuel is designed to power engines built to run on diesel fuels. Jet fuel, on the other hand, is specifically designated to power gas-turbine engines. While it is possible to use diesel fuel in jet engines and vice versa, it is not common and can be highly inefficient or even dangerous due to differences in specifications and legal requirements.
Another important difference is that jet fuel is manufactured to maintain its flow at low temperatures. Diesel, on the other hand, may freeze or form wax crystals blocking filters and stalling engines at low temperatures. This is a significant issue for aviators as they fly at high altitudes under very cold conditions. Jet fuel can also act as a coolant for the engine oil and maintain clean injector nozzles, preventing carbon deposits in modern turbine engine designs.
In terms of cleanliness, jet fuel is considered cleaner-burning than diesel. Jet fuel has a lower freeze point and offers more reliable and efficient operation. Turbine engines, which jet fuel is designed for, burn fuel more completely as they run lean. This results in more complete combustion compared to gasoline engines, which often run rich. Additionally, jet fuel does not contain fatty acid methyl esters, which are used in diesel and can impact low-temperature properties, aircraft range, and fuel stability.
While diesel engines have some advantages, such as lower fuel consumption and being less likely to catch fire, burning jet fuel is more economically viable for commercial aviation due to the weight of diesel engines. Overall, jet fuel is designed to meet strict aviation industry standards to ensure the safety and reliability of flight, making it the recommended choice for fuelling turbine engines.
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Jet fuel has a lower freezing point than diesel
Jet fuel has been specifically developed to power aircraft engines. While diesel fuel can, in theory, be used in jet engines, it is not common at all today.
The main difference between jet fuel and diesel is their composition. Jet fuel is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil, and its specifications are designed to improve the safety and reliability of flight. Jet fuel is manufactured to keep flowing at high altitudes under bitterly cold conditions. For example, Jet A specification fuel has been used in the United States since the 1950s and has a freezing point of -40°C. Jet A-1, the standard specification fuel used in most of the rest of the world, has an even lower freezing point of -47°C. Jet B, a naphtha-kerosene blend, has an even lower freezing point of -50°C to -60°C, but its lighter composition makes it more dangerous to handle and it is rarely used except in very cold climates.
In contrast, diesel fuel is designed to power engines built to run on diesel fuel. At low temperatures, diesel may freeze or form wax crystals, blocking filters and stalling engines. This is a problem for aviators, who fly at high altitudes under very cold conditions.
The use of alternative fuels in aviation is still in the research phase. While jet fuel can be used in diesel engines, it is highly inefficient or even dangerous due to differences in specifications and legal requirements.
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Jet fuel has better lubricity than diesel
Jet fuel and diesel fuel have historically been quite similar in terms of extraction, production, composition, and application. However, over time, their compositions and applications have diverged. Today, jet fuel is defined as a performance specification rather than a chemical compound.
Jet fuel, especially Jet-A, is considered to be very 'dry'. This means that it has lower lubricity than diesel fuel. While jet fuel is considered a high-sulfur fuel, its lubricity is still acceptable for gas-turbine engines. On the other hand, diesel fuel is designed to lubricate the injector system of a diesel engine. Technical additives are required for other parts of diesel engines as well. Without these refinements, the powertrain of a vehicle is likely to wear out much faster than intended.
The viscosity specifications of jet fuel and diesel fuel also differ. Jet-A tends to have lower viscosities than Diesel #2. Lower lubricity is associated with lower viscosities. While using jet fuel instead of diesel fuel may not cause immediate engine damage, it can lead to long-term wear and tear on pumps, injectors, and other powertrain components.
Despite jet fuel's lower lubricity, it is still preferred over diesel fuel for aviation purposes due to its other advantageous properties. Jet fuel has a lower freezing point, can act as a coolant for engine oil, and helps maintain clean injector nozzles. These qualities contribute to flight safety and performance. Additionally, jet fuel is widely available worldwide, whereas aviation gasoline (avgas) is only accessible in a few countries.
In certain cases, diesel fuel can be used in gas-turbine engines, and jet fuel can power diesel engines. Some aircraft engine manufacturers, such as Thielert and Austro Engine, offer aircraft diesel engines that run on jet fuel. This practice simplifies airport logistics by reducing the number of required fuel types. At airports, jet fuel is commonly used in diesel-powered ground support vehicles. However, jet fuel use in diesel engines is not recommended due to potential issues with lubricity and performance.
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Jet fuel is more expensive than diesel
Jet fuel is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is a colourless to straw-coloured mixture of a variety of hydrocarbons, with a higher level of sulfur and other additives, including cetane, than diesel. This higher sulfur content gives jet fuel better lubricity than diesel, which requires lubricity additives to prevent long-term wear of pumps, injectors, and other powertrain parts. Additionally, jet fuel is manufactured to keep flowing at high altitudes under bitterly cold conditions, acting as a coolant for the engine oil and maintaining clean injector nozzles.
In contrast, diesel fuel is designed to power engines built to run on diesel fuels. While diesel fuel can be used for different types of aircraft, it is uncommon to see a commercial aircraft powered by diesel fuel. Diesel fuel may freeze or form wax crystals at low temperatures, blocking filters and stalling engines.
Despite the higher cost of jet fuel, it is often used in diesel-powered ground-support vehicles at airports due to logistical advantages. Using jet fuel eliminates the need for diesel gas stations at airports and allows vehicles to refuel without leaving the premises.
In some cases, jet fuel has been used in diesel engines, and vice versa. However, the difference in specifications and legal requirements can make this highly inefficient or even dangerous. While jet fuel may work in a diesel engine in the short term, it will not provide the same performance as diesel fuel over time. Similarly, using diesel fuel in aircraft piston engines can lead to fines and engine damage.
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Jet fuel is more widely available than diesel
Jet fuel and diesel fuel have historically shared similarities in extraction, production, composition, and application. However, they have diverged over time, and today, jet fuel is more widely available than diesel fuel.
Jet fuel, or aviation turbine fuel, is specifically designed for aircraft with gas-turbine engines. While jet fuel and diesel fuel have some commonalities, there are important differences in their specifications and legal requirements that make their interchangeability inefficient and potentially dangerous. Jet fuel is a performance specification rather than a chemical compound, and its composition varies based on the petroleum source. It is typically straw-colored or colorless and has a higher flash point than diesel fuel, making it safer as it does not vaporize easily. Jet fuel also has better lubricity than diesel fuel, reducing the need for lubricity additives. Additionally, jet fuel is manufactured to maintain its flow at high altitudes, where temperatures are bitterly cold, while diesel fuel may freeze or form wax crystals that block filters and stall engines.
Jet fuel is widely used in aviation, with the most common types being Jet A and Jet A-1, which are produced to standardized international specifications. Jet B is another type of jet fuel used for its enhanced cold-weather performance, but its lighter composition makes it more dangerous to handle. Jet fuel specifications are developed by the aviation industry to prioritize safety and reliability, with strict regulations on additives to ensure the fuel reaches the aircraft in good condition.
In contrast, diesel fuel is designed to power engines built specifically for diesel fuels. While diesel fuel can be used in aircraft, it is not common, and you will not find it in commercial aircraft or jet engines under normal circumstances. Diesel fuel specifications are set on a more local level and can vary significantly, with the product depending on factors such as refinery ability, market demand, government regulation, and economics.
The availability of jet fuel is influenced by its specialized nature and the stringent standards governing its production and distribution. Its widespread use in aviation and the focus on safety and reliability contribute to its broader availability compared to diesel fuel.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, diesel fuel can be used in aircraft, and historically, many diesel-powered engines were built specifically for planes. However, it is not common today, and diesel aircraft engines have not been widely certified by aviation authorities.
Jet fuel is specifically designed to power gas-turbine engines in aircraft. It has a lower viscosity and lubricity than diesel, and it is engineered to remain stable at low temperatures to avoid freezing or wax crystal formation. Jet fuel also contains more sulfur and other additives, such as cetane, which can damage diesel engines over time.
While jet fuel can be used in diesel engines, it is not recommended due to potential long-term damage to pumps, injectors, and other powertrain parts. Additionally, the use of jet fuel for road vehicles may result in fines from transportation authorities.
