Fuel system icing inhibitor

Fuel system icing inhibitor

Fuel system icing inhibitor (FSII) is an additive to aviation fuels that prevents the formation of ice in fuel lines.
FSII is sometimes referred to by the registered, genericized trademark Prist. Jet fuel can contain a small amount of
dissolved water that does not appear in droplet form. As an aircraft gains altitude, the temperature drops and Jet
fuel's capacity to hold water is diminished. Dissolved water can separate out and could become a serious problem if
it freezes in fuel lines or filters, blocking the flow of fuel and shutting down an engine.

Chemical composition
Chemically, FSII is an almost pure (99.9%) ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGMME, 2-methoxy ethanol,
APISOLVE 76, CAS number [109-86-4 [1]]), or glycol monomethyl ether since 1994 diethylene glycol monomethyl
ether (DEGMME, 2- (2-methoxy ethoxy) ethanol, APITOL 120, methyl carbitol, CAS number [111-77-3 [2]]). [3]
Prior to 1994, Prist was regulated under the MIL-I-27686E standard, which specified use of EGMME, but
subsequently came under the MIL-DTL-85470B, with use of less hazardous DEGMME with higher flash point. [4]
FSII retards the growth of microorganisms eventually present in the fuel, mostly Cladosporium resinae fungi and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, known as "hydrocarbon utilizing microorganisms" or "HUM bugs", which live in
the water-fuel interface of the water droplets, form dark, gel-like mats, and cause microbial corrosion to plastic and
rubber parts.
EGMME had been certified as a pesticide by the EPA, but as the requirement changes raised the certification costs,
DEGMME has no official pesticide certification. DEGMME is a potent solvent, and at high concentrations can
damage fuel bladders and filters. Long-term storage of FSII-fuel mixtures is therefore not recommended.
Anhydrous isopropyl alcohol is sometimes used as an alternative.

Purpose
FSII is an agent that is mixed with jet fuel as it is pumped into the aircraft. The mixture of FSII must be between
0.10% and 0.15% by volume for the additive to work correctly, and the FSII must be distributed evenly throughout
the fuel. Simply adding FSII after the fuel has been pumped is therefore not sufficient. As aircraft climbs after
takeoff, the temperature drops, and any dissolved water will separate out from the fuel. FSII dissolves itself in water
preferentially over the jet fuel, where it then serves to depress the freezing point of water to -43C. Since the freezing
point of jet fuel itself is usually in this region, the formation of ice is now a minimal concern.
Large aircraft do not require FSII as they are usually equipped with electric fuel line heaters that keep the fuel at an
appropriate temperature to prevent icing. However, if the fuel heaters are inoperable, the aircraft may be still be
declared fit to fly, if FSII is added to the fuel.

Storage and dispensing

It is extremely important to store FSII properly. Drums containing FSII must be kept clean and dry, since the
additive is hygroscopic and can absorb water directly from moisture in the air. Since some brands of FSII are highly
toxic, a crew member must wear gloves when handling it undiluted. Many FBOs allow FSII injection to be turned on
or off so that one fuel truck can service planes that do require FSII as well as planes that don't. Line crew, however,
must be able to deliver FSII when it is needed.
Such necessity was illustrated when a Flight Options Beechjet experienced a double flameout over the Gulf of
Mexico in July 2004. The crew was able to glide to a lower altitude and restart the engines, and the aircraft landed
safely. The FAA investigators found no mechanical problems with the engines, but when fuel samples were taken,
FSII concentration was only 0.02%. Either the FSII injector in the refueler was not working at the FBO where the

Fuel system icing inhibitor

aircraft had received fuel, or the line staff failed to turn it on.

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]

http:/ / www. emolecules. com/ cgi-bin/ search?t=ss& q=109-86-4& c=1& v=

http:/ / www. emolecules. com/ cgi-bin/ search?t=ss& q=111-77-3& c=1& v=
http:/ / www. advancepetro. com/ fsii. htm
http:/ / www. csdinc. org/ prist/ faq2. html

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Fuel system icing inhibitor Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=490494481 Contributors: Ashlandchemist, Chowbok, Diomidis Spinellis, Engineer Bob, Fletcher, Foobar,
Hohlederschatten, Hooperbloob, Kjkolb, Lommer, Lrixford, Meggar, Nikos stavroulakis, Nimbus227, ResidueOfDesign, Shaddack, 22 anonymous edits

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