Combustion Properties of High-Density Fuels

The proposed fuel, RJ-5, is a blend of several fused ring hydrocarbons of low carbon/hydrogen ratio. This property imports high density and high volumetric heat of combustion to the fuel, features which make it a promising candidate for volume-limited applications such as the ASALM program. Unfortunately, the need for improvements in several of its physical properties, such as freezing point and viscosity, as well as production-related difficulties, have necessitated modification of the fuel's isomer ratio and the use of additives. It is well established that small quantities of additives can have major effects on combustion parameters such as flame velocity, first and second ignition delays, and hot-wire ignition temperatures.