Comparison of Electrical Resistivity of Soots Formed by Combustion of Kerosene, Diesel, Aviation Fuel and their Mixtures

Abstract

This research paper presents analysis of electrical resistivity values of soots formed by combustion of kerosene, diesel fuel, aviation fuel (Jet A.1), that of kerosene -diesel mixtures at different proportions and that of aviation fuel (Jet A.1)-diesel mixtures at various percentages. The results of the analysis reveal that soots formed by combusting kerosene, diesel, aviation fuel (Jet A.1) and their respective mixtures have electrical resistivity values ranging from 3.516 x 10-1Ωm to 1.836 x 10-1 Ωm . Soot from diesel fuel has the lowest value whereas soot from kerosene has the highest value of electrical resistivity. The obtained values are within the range of electrical resistivity values for materials classified as semiconductors. Electrical resistivity varies non-linearly with percentage composition of mixture constituents for soot formed by combusting kerosene-diesel mixture or aviation fuel (Jet A.1)-diesel mixture. Soot produced by combustion of pure diesel fuel has less resistivity value, indicating higher conductivity than soot obtained from the burning of aviation fuel whereas soot got from the combustion of kerosene exhibits higher electrical resistivity value than the former. This work has provided a database on the electrical resistivity values of soot (kerosene, diesel fuel, aviation fuel (Jet A.1)) formed as a result of combustion of some fuels and their mixtures for probable utilization by electrical, electronics and petroleum industries. Such database is being reported for the first time, hence making this research work a novel.