Quantification of major and trace elements contained in aircraft JET A-1 fuel by in-vacuum PIXE analysis

Abstract

To characterize the chemical composition of aircraft exhaust particles, we developed a treatment method of jet fuel for an elemental analysis by an in-vacuum PIXE system. Eleven elements (Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) were identified from each sample. The concentrations of S from five JET A-1 fuel samples collected on different days ranged from 30.4 to 440 wt.-ppm. The concentration level of S agreed well with the measurement results obtained by an in-air PIXE analysis, which we have previously performed to determine the major content elements and their concentration levels. Nine elements out of the identified 11 elements (Si, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb), which were not detected by the in-air PIXE analysis, were detected in all the JET A-1 fuel samples measured. Among these elements, Si, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb were found to be the major components. It is suggested that particles emitted from aircraft jet engines, which are generally in the size range smaller than 100 nm (ultrafine particles: UFPs), may contain Si, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb. These findings provide useful insights into the source apportionment of UFPs in and around airports.