Analysis of solid deposits from thermal stressing of a JP-8 fuel on different tube surfaces in a flow reactor

Thermal stressing of a JP-8 fuel was carried out in an isothermal flow reactor using nickel, stainless steel (316 and 304), Silcosteel, and glass-lined stainless steel tubes at 500 degreesC wall temperature and 34 atm (500 psig) for 5 h at a liquid fuel flow rate of 1 mL/min. Different length segments along the sample tubes were analyzed to observe the deposit distribution throughout the test section. Temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) analysis and SEM examination of the stressed tubes showed differences in the amount and nature of the solid deposits obtained on the different substrates. The activity of the tube surfaces toward carbon deposition decreases in the order nickel > SS 316 > SS304 > Silcosteel glass-lined stainless steel. The catalytic activity of the metal surfaces was noted using TPO analysis in conjunction with SEM examination of the deposited tubes.