Effect of Nuclear Radiation on Jet Fuels

In a study of use of auxiliary hydrocarbon fuels in a nuclear-powered aircraft three typical fuels were exposed to 10/sup 8/ r of gamma radiation from spent fuel elements. Changes in physical and chemical properties, consonant with dehydrogenation and polymerization as major reactions, were observed but without degradition of significant fuel properties (particularly thermal stability). Under these conditions a saturated kerosine should be a satisfactory fuel. Aromatics may have reduced the over-all reaction, but only as a result of their sacrificial reaction. Exposure of the same fuels to reactor radiation (including neutrons) at about 10/sup 7/ r indicated severe loss in thermal stability, though other radiation damage was barely discernible. This may be partly a dose level effect but is probably also an attribute of neutron irradiation. (auth)