Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) addition on the flame spread rate over a Jet A pool

Flame spread over liquids is of high importance because of its relation to fire hazards in liquid fuel spillages. Aviation fuels mixed with nanoparticles are rising as promising higher performance fuels for high-end applications. Fire safety characterization of aviation fuels mixed with nanoparticles is paramount to the successful implementation of these new fuels in the aerospace/aviation industry. In this paper, measurements of the flame spread rate on top of a fuel pool of Jet A mixed with carbon nanoparticles are reported. Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) with a nominal diameter of 30–50 nm were added in concentrations varied between 2 g/L and 6 g/L. Jet A temperature was varied between 30oC to 100oC, and a Nd:YAG laser was used to ignite the fuel-air mixture established over the liquid fuel pool. Flame spread rate was observed to decrease with increased nanoparticle concentration for all temperatures. Reductions in the flame spread rate up to 50% were observed which are relevant for fire safety of liquids fuels.