Characteristics of jet fuels produced from hydrogenated shale oils

Abstract

Shale oils from the United States (Geokinetics, Occidental, Paraho and Tosco II) were hydrotreated, fractionated into jet fuel cuts (boiling range 121–300°C), then characterized to evaluate their suitability as jet fuels. Nitrogen content was considerably higher, though the amount of hydrogen was relatively lower, than in typical petroleum jet fuels. Sulfur content was significantly below the acceptable limit. Trace metal contents in shale oil jet fuels were below the maximum levels for those in petroleum jet fuels. Vanadium, copper, lead and alkali metals were not present. Physical properties, except freezing points, were comparable to those of standard jet fuels.