SBIR-STTR Award

The Effects of JP-8 on High Pressure Common Rail Fuel Systems and Pumps
Award last edited on: 11/22/2010

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Army
Total Award Amount
$849,992
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
A08-128
Principal Investigator
David F May

Company Information

Analytical Engineering Inc (AKA: AEI)

2555 Technology Boulevard
Columbus, IN 47202
   (812) 376-6472
   info@aei-tech.com
   www.aei-tech.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 06
County: Bartholomew

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2009
Phase I Amount
$119,999
Lack of fuel lubrication performance associated with JP-8 in modern diesel engines equipped with High Pressure Common Rail fuel systems can lead to premature performance loss or field failure. As engines in the Army fleet are replaced with modern engines, provisions for JP-8 fuel compatibility will need to be addressed by engine OEM’s. Analytical Engineering, Inc. proposes to partner with Cummins Inc. Fuel Systems in a Phase I effort to define which components in a modern pump are susceptible to lubricity related failure when using JP-8 and high/low sulfur fuels. This effort will culminate in a definition of identified components and potential metallurgical and / or ceramic material modifications needed for fuel compatibility.

Keywords:
Jp8, Low Lubricity Fuel, High Sulfur Fuel, High Pressure Pump, Common Rail Pump, Pump Retrofit Kit For Low Lubricity Fuel, High Pressure Pump Durability

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2010
Phase II Amount
$729,993
The lack of lubrication performance associated with JP-8 fuel in modern diesel engines equipped with High Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) fuel systems can lead to premature performance loss and catastrophic field failure. OEM¡¦s will need to first thoroughly understand these effects and then make provisions for JP-8 fuel compatibility as engines in the Army fleet are replaced with modern engines equipped with HPCR fuel systems. Analytical Engineering, Inc. proposes to partner with Cummins Inc. Fuel Systems in a Phase II effort to define which components in modern HPCR systems, particularly HP pumps, are susceptible to lubricity related failure when using JP-8 and high/low sulfur fuels. This effort will culminate in: 1) A comparison of fuel system wear results between a short duration (1000 hour) high stress (100% engine load) durability test and a long duration (7000 hour) actual-use (combination highway/city drive cycle) durability test to develop a superior tool for future testing. 2) Establish which system components are most susceptible to excessive wear or potential field failures, and develop corrective measures to extend the useful life of the components. 3) Incorporate the corrective measures into a new system and validate the extended durability with 4000 hours of additional testing.

Keywords:
Jp-8 Fuel, Hpcr Fuel Pump, Xpi Pump, Hpcr Injectors, Low Lubricity Fuel, Hpcr Durability, Hpcr Injector Drift, Low Sulfur Fuel