Qualification of Hydraulic fluid in Jet Fuel

Yehonatan Moller, IDF, Gedera, Israel (yehonatan.moller@gmail.com)
Adva Cohan, Idf, Gedera, Israel
Yalfal Siyum, Idf, Gedera, Israel
Eran Weisel, Idf, Gedera, Israel

Hydraulic fluid contamination in aviation fuels poses risks to aircraft safety and performance, highlighting the need for reliable detection methods. In this study, hydraulic fluid in jet fuel was analyzed using FTIR and GC-MS. FTIR analysis identified a distinct absorption band of hydraulic fluid, with a calibration curve showing strong linearity. An sample was determined to contain around 2.3% (w/w) hydraulic fluid. Complementary GC-MS methods provided confirmation: In Chromatoprobe GC-MS the sample was determined to contain around 2.5% (w/w) hydraulic fluid, while in S/SL GC-MS the sample was determined to contain around 1.7% (w/w) hydraulic fluid. The prepared sample had a true concentration of 1.8% (w/w) hydraulic fluid, indicating that both FTIR and GC-MS methods are capable of detecting and quantifying hydraulic fluid in jet fuel, with S/SL GC-MS offering the closest agreement to the actual concentration.