Agreement reached on high FAME content in aviation jet fuel
Quality standards for aviation jet fuel in both Europe and the US have been amended to set a maximum fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) content of 5ppm.
However, following over two years of negotiations, an agreement has been reached between the major engine and aircraft manufacturers and the aviation fuel suppliers to use jet fuel even if it is found to contain FAME up to 30 mg/kg, the equivalent of 30ppm.
The emergency protocols will enable individual aircraft to undertake two uplifts of fuel containing FAME in the range of 5 to 30mg/kg. This will reduce disruption at the oil storage depot at the airport in the event of a FAME contamination incident. At major airports jet fuel is delivered by pipeline, and no facilities exist to recover contaminated fuel, other than loading it on to road tankers.
If evidence from the supply terminal or the airport shows that contamination is above 5ppm FAME, the operator must resample the fuel using new clean containers, and submit them to a recognised laboratory for testing in accordance with IP 585 or IP 590. If the laboratory results confirm the contamination is within the 30ppm limit, the airline must be advised, and they should contact the appropriate aircraft and engine manufacturers for guidance on implementing the relevant emergency protocols.
The agreement was negotiated by the Joint Industry Group (JIG) on behalf of the aviation fuel suppliers, and details are contained in Bulletin No. 37 - High FAME Content Protocol, October 2010. The JIG is continuing to have talks with the engine and aircraft manufacturers to agree a permanent limit of 100ppm FAME, although current testing will not be completed before the beginning of 2011, and a decision on this is not expected before June, according to a senior member of the ASTM committee responsible for the US quality standard.
However, following over two years of negotiations, an agreement has been reached between the major engine and aircraft manufacturers and the aviation fuel suppliers to use jet fuel even if it is found to contain FAME up to 30 mg/kg, the equivalent of 30ppm.
The emergency protocols will enable individual aircraft to undertake two uplifts of fuel containing FAME in the range of 5 to 30mg/kg. This will reduce disruption at the oil storage depot at the airport in the event of a FAME contamination incident. At major airports jet fuel is delivered by pipeline, and no facilities exist to recover contaminated fuel, other than loading it on to road tankers.
If evidence from the supply terminal or the airport shows that contamination is above 5ppm FAME, the operator must resample the fuel using new clean containers, and submit them to a recognised laboratory for testing in accordance with IP 585 or IP 590. If the laboratory results confirm the contamination is within the 30ppm limit, the airline must be advised, and they should contact the appropriate aircraft and engine manufacturers for guidance on implementing the relevant emergency protocols.
The agreement was negotiated by the Joint Industry Group (JIG) on behalf of the aviation fuel suppliers, and details are contained in Bulletin No. 37 - High FAME Content Protocol, October 2010. The JIG is continuing to have talks with the engine and aircraft manufacturers to agree a permanent limit of 100ppm FAME, although current testing will not be completed before the beginning of 2011, and a decision on this is not expected before June, according to a senior member of the ASTM committee responsible for the US quality standard.
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