Fuel is critical to any military operation. Preserving fuel that is stored and transported to the battlefield is critical to maintaining a high level of operational effectiveness. Fuel convoys and storage facilities are particularly vulnerable to attack, and in the event of such an occurrence, the fuel must be recovered to mitigate the negative effects this disturbance. Fuel that has been compromised as a result of attack, equipment failure, or accident could contain any number of contaminants including moisture, dirt, soot and aqueous film forming foams (AFFFs). Mainstream Engineering will develop an innovative emulsion-breaking device to separate JP-8 from aqueous emulsions containing AFFFs. Supporting system components will then separate and recover the fuel for reuse. In Phase I, Mainstream will demonstrate the technology at the laboratory-scale. In Phase II, Mainstream will demonstrate a prototype fuel recovery system which will process 10 GPM of fuel.;
Benefit: This technology will be useful to the military in recovering compromised fuel to improve the overall energy efficiency of military operations. The public will also benefit from a fuel recovery technology deployed at sites of oil spills resulting from natural disasters, equipment failure or accidents.