| HISTORY OF AVIATION FUEL ANTI-ICING |
In the late 1950’s, as more jet aircraft were flying to higher and higher altitudes for longer times, problems started to develop with ice crystals forming in Jet fuel.
Fuel System Icing Inhibitors were introduced to military aviation fuels in the early 1960’s after the crash of a B-52 in 1958 attributed to ice in the fuel causing five (5) of the eight (8) engines to fail due to fuel starvation.
It was quickly discerned that as a hydrocarbon fuel, such as Jet Fuel is cooled, one (1) part per million of water comes out of solution from entrained water to free water. As dissolved water in fuel becomes FREE water when the fuel is cooled, it can form solids (ice) in freezing temperatures. Obviously, as the water temperature falls and changes into ice, these ice crystals can inhibit fuel flow and can possibly starve the engine for fuel.
For this reason, some aircraft utilize fuel heating systems to melt any ice that forms at altitude, while other aircraft require the Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII) additive, PRIST® Hi-Flash™ to ensure safe flight.
Initially, Prist® was an Ethylene Glycol compound delivered blue in color but in the mid 90’s, was changed to PRIST® Hi-Flash™, a clear DiEthylene Glycol to offer an improved higher flash point and reduced hazardous and toxic characteristics.
