Jet Fuel System Icing Inhibitors:  Synthesis and Characterization

There have been no new literature papers dealing with jet fuel deicing additive replacements for the past 20 years. The current fuel system icing inhibitor additives, used by both the military and commercial aviation, are ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and diethylene glycol monomethyl ether. These deicing compounds are toxic at the concentrations that are required for effective deicing. This observation points to an immediate need for nontoxic, inexpensive, and biodegradable deicing compounds. The synthesis of polar sugar derivatives represents a viable alternative to glycol-based additives. The alternative deicing compounds reported in this paper are inexpensive and fuel stable and exhibit icing inhibitor characteristics similar to those of the presently used commercial materials.