[Dodp3] Off Spec JP8 Fuel

Tue Jun 5 16:00:27 EDT 2001

Steve,
I saw your question about off-spec JP-8 jet fuel.  Bill Vondersmith, GA
P2AD, gave me your POC information.  You and/or others on the regional
P2 listserve may be interested in the following potential solution to
your JP-8 disposal problem at Warner Robins AFB.  (see below)

The Army Environmental Center (AEC)'s Technology Division, in
cooperation with The Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), under
direction of the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM)
Fuels and Lubricant Technology Team (FLTT) developed, designed, and
fabricated a Fuel Filtration/Additive Unit (FAU).

The unit is commercially available and will filter and replenish JP-8
fuel with additives so you really would not need to dispose of the off
spec material.  Since you use probably create a frequent and large
volume of JP-8, this recycling technology may be of interest to you.  It
may be simply a matter of taking the cost of a new unit and calculating
the payback period to see if it is worthwhile or not.  I don't know for
sure but think the units are probably not much more than $15 or 20k in
initial investment. 

At Ft. Stewart, GA, 243 vehicles were processed using the unit.  Blount
Island Command,  in Jacksonville, FL, has also purchased and use a few
units.

A good POC for more information at the Army Environmental Center is Mr.
Dennis Teefy, 410-436-6867.  

If you decide to go this route, please let us know how you like it.  It
would make a good Regional P2 story.  Thanks.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Fuel Filtration Additive Unit http://ace <http://ace> 

Background
Keeping tactical vehicles maintained is an essential part of the overall
readiness of the military. Tactical vehicles are unique in that they are
periodically stored for extended periods of time with full fuel tanks.
Over time, the diesel fuel deteriorates and absorbs water vapor allowing
free water accumulation and microbial growth. When the contaminated fuel
is used, the deterioration products plug the fuel filters disabling the
vehicle. Secondary effects include increased engine wear and decreased
performance.

FAU
The Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) under direction of the U.S. Army
Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Fuels and Lubricant
Technology Team (FLTT) http://www.tacom.army.mil/tardec/
<http://www.tacom.army.mil/tardec/>  developed, designed, and fabricated
a Fuel Filtration/Additive Unit (FAU). The FAU is system of
off-the-shelf technologies used in harmony to decontaminate fuels while
providing the ability to inject chemical additives. For maximum mobility
in the field, the unit is trailer mounted and has the capability to
supply its own power. The fuel decontamination rate of the system is a
rapid 60 gallons per minute. The system also has the capability to
inject four separate additives simultaneously to the fuel as it is being
cleaned. These additives options can be used to convert Jet A-1 into
JP-8, add microbial biocides, or increase fuel stability.

Field Evaluation
The FAU has been proven effective in a variety of field situations. At
Ft. Stewart, GA, 243 vehicles were processed using the unit. The Unit
was set up to remove both the heavy concentration of water and
particulate contamination. At Twentynine Palms and Camp Pendleton, CA,
the particulate mater tended to be finer then that of Ft. Stewart
because of the addition of the Fuel Oil Additive portion of MIL-S-53021.
The FAU still was able to remove the minute particles rectifying the
fuel filter plugging problem.

Blount Island Command in Jacksonville, FL purchased a second generation
FAU. They utilize the FAU in the maintenance of the Marine Corps
Pre-positioned Fleet. Since Blount Island mission calls for the constant
use of the unit, they estimate that the cost of the unit was recouped in
less then one year. Blount Island's cost savings comes through decreased
fuel disposal and procurement costs.

Aiding Military Readiness
The FAU will have a dramatic impact on the readiness of our mechanized
troops. The FAU will mitigate the fuel filter plugging problem in most
tactical vehicles allowing them to be held at a higher state of
readiness. In the case of fuel contamination emergencies, the FAU will
be able to quickly and safely decontaminate gross quantities of fuel.
The additive system allows for rapid conversion of fuels to different
grades. Man-hours in the motor pool will decrease by preventing the time
intensive removal of the fuel cells, changing of the filters, and
disposal of the contaminated fuel. By decontaminating the fuel, it no
longer necessary to disposed of it as a hazardous waste while recovering
the procurement costs.

Current Status
The FAU has proven its worth in the field and can provide significant
pollution prevention and economic savings. There is currently a design
package for the manufacturing and production of the FAU. The design is
flexible and can easily be altered to adapt to individual instillation
needs. The U.S. Army Environmental Center (USAEC) and U.S. Army Aberdeen
Test Center (ATC) joined forces with FLTT to aid the technology transfer
of the FAU. The high cost of procuring the FAU has been a detriment to
the project. Efforts are underway to streamline the production of the
FAU, evaluate potential vendors for fabrication, and to continue to
collect cost and performance information. The FAU has proven its
usefulness in situations where large quantities of fuel can be treated.
The goal of this effort is to make the FAU practical for installations
who will utilize the FAU less frequently as Blount Island.

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Vondersmith [ mailto:Bill_Vondersmith at mail.dnr.state.ga.us
<mailto:Bill_Vondersmith at mail.dnr.state.ga.us> ]
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2001 2:23 PM
To: dodp3 at p2pays.org
Subject: [Dodp3] Off Spec JP8 Fuel

I have a request from a military base for someone to pick-up off spec
JP8 fuel (jet fuel) at no cost for reuse or energy recovery. This would
divert it from disposal as an ignitable RCRA waste at a premium cost.
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