Synthetic fuel fractions derived from the Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) process enjoy significant environmental advantages over fuel cuts obtained from crude oil, due in part to their lack of aromatics and low sulfur content. However, the absence of aromatics is a hindrance to key physical properties as well as to fuel storage. The purpose of this study is to investigate: 1) the impact different hydrocarbon groups have on physical properties; 2) the impact of the carbon number on the same; and 3) the possibilities of alternating the effective carbon number in favor of better overall economy. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was used to map a compositional region in which fuel blends match the aviation industry standards based on density, viscosity, heat content, freezing point and flash point. Thereafter, a mono-Aromatic fraction was incorporated in order to assess the viability of such blends as well as to test the elastomer compatibility. It was found that mono-Aromatics alone would not be suitable to fulfill the specification requirements. Additionally, the effect of altering the carbon number was quite pronounced based on the preliminary examinations made. All the properties showed improved results in terms of ASTM limits when the carbon number range was expanded.

Effect of carbon number on properties of synthetic gas-to-liquid jet fuel blends

245th National Meeting (2013)

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