The Effects of JP-8 on High Pressure Common Rail Fuel Systems and Pumps

The lack of lubrication performance associated with JP-8 fuel in modern diesel engines equipped with High Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) fuel systems can lead to premature performance loss and catastrophic field failure. OEM¡¦s will need to first thoroughly understand these effects and then make provisions for JP-8 fuel compatibility as engines in the Army fleet are replaced with modern engines equipped with HPCR fuel systems. Analytical Engineering, Inc. proposes to partner with Cummins Inc. Fuel Systems in a Phase II effort to define which components in modern HPCR systems, particularly HP pumps, are susceptible to lubricity related failure when using JP-8 and high/low sulfur fuels. This effort will culminate in: 1) A comparison of fuel system wear results between a short duration (1000 hour) high stress (100% engine load) durability test and a long duration (7000 hour) actual-use (combination highway/city drive cycle) durability test to develop a superior tool for future testing. 2) Establish which system components are most susceptible to excessive wear or potential field failures, and develop corrective measures to extend the useful life of the components. 3) Incorporate the corrective measures into a new system and validate the extended durability with 4000 hours of additional testing.