Regan Brown
Aviation fuels are either petroleum-based or blends of petroleum and synthetic fuels, and they are used to power aircraft. Jet fuel and diesel fuel have more in common than one might think. They are both made from the same base petroleum distillate, but have different additives to make them their specific fuel type. Jet fuel is a gas turbine fuel used in propeller and jet fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. It has a low viscosity at low temperatures and burns cleanly. Diesel engines are typically heavier than their gasoline equivalents, and they are used to power specific types of engines.
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What You'll Learn
Jet fuel and diesel have a lot in common
Jet fuel, also known as aviation turbine fuel (ATF or avtur), is used in gas-turbine engines, while diesel fuel is designed for diesel engines. However, there is some overlap in their use, and jet fuel can be used in diesel engines, and vice versa, although this is not ideal. This is because, despite their similarities, the two fuels have different compositions and specifications, and over time, their applications have diverged. Jet fuel, for example, has a low viscosity at low temperatures, a limited range of density and calorific value, and burns cleanly, which makes it suitable for aviation.
In terms of appearance, jet fuel is clear to straw-coloured, while diesel is usually dyed. In the US, diesel is dyed red to distinguish it from jet fuel and kerosene, which are both clear or straw-coloured.
The two fuels also differ in terms of their broader use. Jet fuel is used in propeller and jet fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, and is subject to stringent standards and regulations. It is sold in high volumes to large aircraft operators, such as airlines and militaries. Diesel, on the other hand, is used in a wide variety of vehicles, including cars, buses, and trucks, and is also used for heating and other ground applications.
While jet fuel and diesel have a lot in common, they are designed for different types of engines and have different properties to suit the specific demands of their applications.
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Jet fuel is used in gas-turbine engines
Jet fuel, or aviation turbine fuel (ATF or avtur), is a type of aviation fuel used in aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is clear to straw-coloured in appearance, with a low viscosity at low temperatures. Jet fuel is chemically stable at high temperatures, burns cleanly, and has a high flash point. These characteristics make it suitable for use in gas-turbine engines.
Gas-turbine engines, including those in jet aircraft, typically use lower-cost fuels with higher flash points, which are less flammable and therefore safer to handle and transport. Jet fuel is a mixture of various hydrocarbons, with its exact composition varying based on the petroleum source. This variation in composition results in jet fuel being defined by its performance specifications rather than as a specific chemical compound.
While jet fuel is primarily designed for gas-turbine engines, it can also be used in diesel engines. Jet fuel and diesel fuel share similarities in their historical extraction, production, and composition. They are both derived from the same base petroleum distillate but differ in their specific additives. In practice, diesel fuel has been used in gas-turbine engines, and jet fuel has been utilised in diesel engines, particularly in ground vehicles at airfields and airports.
However, using jet fuel in diesel engines or vice versa is not always ideal due to the specific additives that each type of engine is designed for. Additionally, differences in specifications and legal requirements can make the interchangeability of jet fuel and diesel fuel inefficient or even dangerous. Therefore, while jet fuel can be used in gas-turbine engines, its use may be subject to specific engine requirements and safety considerations.
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Diesel engines are heavier than gasoline engines
Although diesel fuel and jet fuel are similar in many ways, there are some key differences in their composition, extraction, and application. Jet fuel is specifically designed to power gas-turbine engines in aircraft, while diesel fuel is used in engines built to run on diesel fuels.
Another factor contributing to the weight difference is the specific weight of the fuel. Diesel fuel weighs more than gasoline, which can impact the payload capacity of aircraft. A diesel-powered aircraft with a full fuel load of 100 liters can have a decreased passenger payload of up to 50 kilograms compared to an aircraft powered by a gasoline engine. This weight difference is a significant consideration for aircraft manufacturers who continuously strive to reduce airframe weight to increase available payload.
While diesel engines offer advantages such as improved fuel efficiency and safety due to a higher flashpoint, the weight difference remains a significant factor in the choice of engine type for aircraft, especially in recreational and light aircraft. Gasoline engines offer a competitive advantage in terms of payload capacity and cost-effectiveness for aircraft with similar power ratings. Therefore, despite the similarities between diesel and jet fuel, the weight of diesel engines and the specific weight of diesel fuel are important considerations in the aviation industry's fuel and engine choices.
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Jet fuel and diesel have different compositions
Jet fuel is composed of a variety of hydrocarbons, resulting in a range of molecular masses. Its composition varies based on the petroleum source, and it is defined by performance specifications rather than a fixed chemical composition. Jet A, Jet A-1, and Jet B are the most common types of jet fuel, with Jet B having the lowest freezing point, making it suitable for cold climates. Jet A-1 includes an anti-static additive, which is absent in Jet A and Jet B, making them cheaper to produce.
Diesel fuel, on the other hand, is a specific fractional distillate of petroleum fuel oil. Its specifications can vary based on factors such as refinery capabilities, market demand, government regulations, and seasonal requirements. Diesel fuel may freeze or form wax crystals at low temperatures, which is a significant drawback for aviation. Jet fuel, however, is engineered to remain fluid even in the extremely cold conditions experienced during high-altitude flights.
While jet fuel and diesel have distinct compositions and applications, they share similarities in their historical development and extraction methods. In some cases, jet fuel can be used in diesel engines, particularly in ground-support vehicles at airports, to simplify logistics and reduce the need for separate diesel fuel supplies. However, jet fuel's poor lubricating properties can increase wear on fuel injection equipment, and its higher cost makes it less economically viable for diesel engines.
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Jet fuel is used in higher quantities than aviation gasoline
Jet fuel and aviation gasoline are two different types of aviation fuel. Jet fuel is used in higher quantities than aviation gasoline, also known as avgas or 100LL (low-lead). This is because jet fuel is used by large aircraft operators, such as airlines and militaries, while avgas is used by smaller aircraft, light helicopters, and vintage piston-engined aircraft.
Jet fuel, also known as aviation turbine fuel (ATF) or avtur, is specifically designed to power gas-turbine engines in propeller and jet fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. It has a low viscosity at low temperatures, limited ranges of density and calorific value, burns cleanly, and remains chemically stable when heated to high temperatures. Jet fuel is also denser than aviation gasoline and has a higher flashpoint and a lower freezing point, which makes it suitable for international travel through varying climates.
On the other hand, aviation gasoline is a highly refined form of gasoline for aircraft. It emphasizes purity, anti-knock characteristics, and the minimization of spark plug fouling. Avgas must meet stringent performance guidelines for both the rich mixture condition required for take-off power settings and the leaner mixtures used during cruising to reduce fuel consumption. While avgas comes in many different grades, its octane ratings are generally higher than those of road motor gasoline.
Despite their differences, jet fuel and diesel fuel have more in common than one might think. Both fuels are specific fractional distillates of petroleum fuel oil and can be used in compression ignition engines or turbine engines. However, the main difference lies in their composition and application. Jet fuel is designed to power gas-turbine engines, while diesel fuel is designed to power engines built specifically to run on diesel fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
Jet fuel is a gas turbine fuel used in propeller and jet fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. It is a petroleum-based fuel with a low viscosity at low temperatures and remains chemically stable when heated to high temperatures.
Diesel fuel is a petroleum-based fuel designed to power engines built to run on diesel. Diesel engines are typically heavier than their gasoline equivalents.
No, they are not the same, but they have a lot in common. They are both derived from the same base petroleum distillate but have different additives to make them suitable for their specific engine types.
While jet fuel can technically be used in diesel engines and vice versa, it is not ideal. Jet fuel lacks the additives that diesel engines are designed for and using the wrong fuel can be dangerous.
The two primary fuels used in aviation are avgas and Jet-A. Avgas is used by small aircraft, light helicopters, and vintage piston-engined aircraft, while Jet-A is used in gas-turbine-powered aircraft.
