The Effect of Fuel Composition on Groundfall from Aircraft Fuel Jettisoning.

Abstract : A computer model which simulates the evaporation and free-fall of fuel droplets in the atmosphere was used to determine the effect of fuel composition on the nature and extent of ground contamination by fuel discharged from an aircraft in flight. Three fuel compositions were used: (1) JP-4, the standard Air Force jet fuel; (2) Jet A (JP-8), the standard U.S. commercial jet fuel; and (3) Number 2 Diesel Fuel, representing the upper limit for future, broadened-specification fuels from alternative sources. The results of this study indicate that the amount of liquid fuel reaching the ground from the jettisoning of commercial jet fuels is much greater than for JP-4. Moreover, future broadened specification fuels may produce even greater ground contamination when jettisoned.