Freezing of Jet Fuel within a Buoyancy-Driven Flow in a Rectangular Optical Cell

JPTS, kerosene, Jet A, and additized Jet A samples were cooled below their freeze point temperatures in a rectangular, optical cell. Images and temperature data recorded during the solidification process provided information on crystal habit, crystallization behavior, and the influence of the buoyancy-driven flow on freezing. n-Alkane composition of the samples was determined. The Jet A sample contained the least n-alkane mass. The cooling of JPTS resulted in the least wax formation, while the cooling of kerosene yielded the greatest wax formation. The JPTS and kerosene samples exhibited similar crystallization behavior and crystal habits during cooling. Low-temperature additives modified the crystal habit of the Jet A fuel. Crystal shapes and sizes were recorded for use in future computational modeling.