JP-10 (fuel)

JP-10 fuel - (Jet Propellant 10), is a jet fuel, specified and used mainly as a gas turbine fuel in missiles. Despite being designed for military purposes, it is not a kerosene based fuel. It is a gas turbine fuel for missiles. It contains mainly exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (a synthetic fuel), and adamantane. However, it is usually classed as a single component fuel, as well as a hydrocarbon. It is produced by catalytic hydrogenation of dicyclopentadiene and then isomerization. It superseded JP-9 because of a lower temperature service limit. Its main use is in the Tomahawk missiles.

The Russian equivalent is called detsilin.

Chemical properties of JP-10 fuel

 * Chemical formula: C10H16
 * H/C (Hydrogen/Carbon) ratio (mole): 1.6
 * Average molecular weight (g/mol): 136.2
 * LHV (lower heating value) (MJ/kg): 43.0

Uses
JP-10 absorbs heat energy, so is endothermic with a relatively high density of 940 kg/m3. It has a low freezing point of less than -110 C and the flash point is 130 F. The high energy density of 39.6 MJ/L makes it ideal for military aerospace applications - its primary use. The ignition and burn chemistry has been extensively studied. The exo isomer also has a low freezing point. Its other properties have also been studied extensively.

Even though its uses are mainly for the military, the relatively high cost has meant research has been undertaken to find lower costs routes including the use of cellulosic materials.

Further research
Current and past areas of research focus on:
 * The pyrolysis and kinetics of the fuel.
 * Catalytic addition of nanoparticles such as those based on cerium(IV) oxide.
 * Catalysis for the endo to exo isomerisation.
 * Use of additives in JP-10 for various enhancements.