Evaluation of electrical conductivity stability in jet fuels under transport and storage conditions

This work investigates the factors affecting the electrical conductivity (EC) of aviation kerosene during transportation, both with and without the addition of antistatic additives, namely: changes in temperature and fuel viscosity, fuel filtration, contact with water of varying pH and aqueous salt solutions, presence of dissolved water, contamination by other petroleum products, fuel oxidation, as well as contact with corroded surfaces.

The isolated factor of fuel viscosity influences its electrical conductivity. A linear dependence of the fuel’s electrical conductivity on the reciprocal of its viscosity has been demonstrated. Filtration does not affect fuel without additives; however, it causes a decrease in EC of fuels containing additives due to adsorption of active additive components on the filter elements. Contact with acidic water leads to a multiple decrease in EC in fuel with additives and a multiple increase in fuel without additives. The presence of metal salts in dissolved water contributes to an increase in EC when additives are present. Contamination with heavy petroleum products promotes an increase in EC due to a higher content of polar compounds. It has been established that rust intensively adsorbs additive components, reducing the fuel’s electrical conductivity; however, their desorption is observed upon heating. Fuel oxidation results in a temporary increase in EC followed by stabilization.