Stereo Electronic Effects in Fuel Dehydrating Icing Inhibitors Research Paper

Stereo Electronic Effects in Fuel Dehydrating Icing Inhibitors - Research Paper Example The solubility of water in most hydrocarbon jet fuels often decreases by roughly 2 ppm v/v per 1 °C. In this regard, the dissolved water components of the jet fuel may freeze to form tiny ice crystals and blocking fuel feeds, enhance corrosion as well as supporting microbial growth. A number of plane crash incidences attributed to fuel starvation due to icing have been recorded. For example, during extended high latitude flights, fuel temperatures often fall to extremely low levels thereby causing the water components of the jet fuel to freeze. In most cases, the ice crystals thus formed may not only clog jet fuel filters but can also lodge into the fuel with potential implications such as engine malfunction or flameout (Repetto et al., 2013, p.556). However, there are currently a number of possibilities of effective elimination of the potential hazards associated with jet fuel water contamination. According to Trohalaki and Pachter (2009, p.79), although the application of organic molecules as potential dehydrating agent remains underutilized due to their complex chemical refining requirements, a number of organic molecules with efficient dehydrating properties such as ortho esters, ketals, hemiketals, acetals, hemiacetals are increasingly being seen as potential candidates for the development of novel and effective fuel dehydrating Icing Inhibitors (FDII). This research proposal investigates the feasibility of using stereoelectronic effects of organic molecules such as ortho-esters in the management of both jet fuel water contamination as well as ice formation in jet engines during high altitude flights. Stereoelectronic effects play a critical role in the hydrolytic processes of the organic water scavenging molecules such as ortho esters (Chiang et al., 2003, p.58). According to many experts, orthoesters are organic molecules that contain a functional group consisting of three alkoxy groups attached to one of the carbon atoms. Orthoesters generally work as water scavengers by getting rapidly hydrolysed when in contact with the free water thereby acting as an ace inhibitor.  Ã‚