Carbon deposit formation from thermal stressing of petroleum fuels

The thermal stability of fuels is of concern for the maintenance of all types of combustion engines. Thermal stability is measured in terms of the fuel's tendency to form deposits on fuel lines and nozzles of jet engines as well as on intake valves, fuel injectors, and combustion chamber surfaces in gasoline and diesel engines. A discussion covers the thermal decomposition of petroleum fuels, i.e., diesel fuel, gasoline, and jet fuel; problem of thermal stability; and the respective reactions on metal surfaces of the fuels leading to the deposition of carbonaceous solids.