Fuel injection System

Safety and Environmental Issues Associated with JP-10

Chemical name(s):    

 ***It should be noted that JP-10 has very little safety information associated with it. OSHA gives virtually no data on exposure limits or other health related information. Also, the MSDS for this material has not been found thus far. One reason for this lack of description is that JP-10 is used as a missile fuel and its properties may be unlisted or classified.

The fuel that will be used to make the fuel-air explosive in the fuel injection system will be JP-10, also known as tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene.  Because of this, precautions must be taken to ensure that the fuel does not affect the handlers or the surrounding environment.  Per the sponsor for this project, the safety and handling issues are based on the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines. 

Because JP-10 is a fairly new fuel, there has not been much data collected for it; therefore, the safety guidelines for JP-8 will be considered.  JP-8 has several potential symptoms that the handler(s) might face if they come in contact with the fuel. These symptoms are as follows:

• Skin irritation (itching, burning, rash, redness)

• Dermatitis

•   Headache, fatigue, anorexia

• Dizziness, difficulty concentrating

• Poor coordination

• Vomiting, diarrhea, cramps

• Drowsiness, restlessness

•  Irritability

• Loss of consciousness

• Death

•  Pneumonitis

 The organs that are affected by JP-8 are the skin, CNS (Central Nervous System), and respiratory system.

       OSHA also provides guidelines for primary sampling for the JP-10.  The recommended media for the fuel is charcoal tubing (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh).  The analytical solvent for the JP-10 is Carbon Disulfide and the alternative solvent is Carbon Disulfide/Dimethylformamide.  The maximum volume of the JP-10 should be 3 liters with a maximum flow rate of 0.2 liters/minute.  The current analytical method for JP-10 is gas chromatography.

            The regulations and standards for explosives and blasting agents are also given by the OSHA website.  Because it will be used as a fuel-air explosive, JP-10 can fall under this category.  This “” provides guidelines for storage, handling, and transportation of the explosives and blasting agents.

            The general hazard warning for all explosives and blasting agents states, “No person shall store, handle, or transport explosives or blasting agents when such storage, handling, and transportation of explosives or blasting agents constitutes an undue hazard to life.” 

            The first major subject involving safety of the explosives is their storage.  The first provision of this section states that all classes of explosives should be stored in a magazine that meets all requirements.  The second provision states, “Blasting caps, electric blasting caps, detonating primers, and primed cartridges shall not be stored in the same magazine with other explosives.”  The next provision says that the ground around the magazine shall be sloped for drainage and the surrounding land should be kept clear of brush, dried grass, leaves, and other materials for at least 25 feet.

            The next pertinent subject is the storage within the magazines where the jet fuel will be housed.  One provision that is important for the project states, “Magazine floors shall be regularly swept, kept clean, dry, and free of grit, paper, empty used packages, and rubbish. Brooms and other cleaning utensils shall not have any spark-producing metal parts. Sweepings from floors of magazines shall be properly disposed of. Magazine floors stained with nitroglycerin shall be cleaned according to instructions by the manufacturer.”  Another important provision set by OSHA is that all explosives be removed from the magazines where they are stored in the case of repairs to the magazines.  An additional provision that will be very important to this project is in regards to misfires; it states, “Explosives recovered from blasting misfires shall be placed in a separate magazine until competent personnel has determined from the manufacturer the method of disposal. Caps recovered from blasting misfires shall not be reused.  Such explosives and caps shall then be disposed of in the manner recommended by the manufacturer.”

            There are several general provisions for transporting the jet fuel that are applicable to this project.  One of them discloses that no employee is allowed to smoke, carry matches or any other flame producing device, or carry firearms or loaded cartridges while in or near an automobile transporting explosives; they also cannot drive, load, or unload such a vehicle in a careless or reckless manner.  Furthermore, the fuel cannot be transferred from one vehicle to another one within the confines of any city, county, state, or other area without the fire and police departments’ prior notification.  The vehicle transporting the fuel should have two fire extinguishers located under the driver’s seat, each with a rating of at least 10-BC.  These extinguishers shall be filled and ready for use and checked periodically by a competent person.

            The next pertinent set of provisions given by OSHA is for the usage of the explosives and blasting agents.  The first general provision states that smoking near the explosives shall not be permitted and that no one may possess matches or anything producing an open flame near the explosives; it also says that no one under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or any other dangerous drugs may be allowed to handle the explosives.  The next important provision provided in this section states, “Person authorized to prepare explosive charges or conduct blasting operations shall use every reasonable precaution, including but not limited to warning signals, flags, barricades, or woven tire mats to insure the safety of the general public and workmen.”  Another provision says that the blasting operations shall be conducted during daylight hours.  A further precaution says, “Whenever blasting is being conducted in the vicinity of gas, electric, water, fire alarm, telephone, telegraph, and steam utilities, the blaster shall notify the appropriate representatives of such utilities at least 24 hours in advance of blasting, specifying the location and intended time of such blasting.  Verbal notice shall be confirmed with written notice.”

            The “Warning Required” provision set by OSHA says that prior to the blast, the employer should require that the person in charge of the blast give a loud warning and make sure that surplus explosives are placed safely, all people and vehicles are at a safe distance away from the blast area, and that an adequate warning is given.

            When dealing with blasting agents, some additional provisions are required.  The building used for the blasting agents should be made of concrete or of other nonabsorbent materials and the building should be well ventilated. 

Reference for JP-10 Information

Chemical Sampling Information: Jet Fuel (JP10). (1996 October 7). Retrieved November 22, 2006 from http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_248750.html.

Reference for JP-8 Information

Safety and Health Topics: Jet Fuel (JP8). (2003 November 18). Retrieved November 22, 2006 from http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_248748.html.