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When the U.S. Air Force issued an RFP for a portable analyzer capable of detecting metal deactivator additive (MDA) in jet fuel, Axcend saw a clear opportunity to apply its compact liquid chromatography (LC) technology to a real-world aviation challenge.
MDA is commonly added to address issues flagged by the Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Test (JFTOT), which evaluates how jet fuel performs under high-temperature conditions. Poor JFTOT results can delay fuel deployment, prompting interest in faster, on-site methods to measure MDA and verify corrective actions.
“The Axcend Focus LC® was attractive due to its small-footprint and portability,” says Greg Ward, CEO of Axcend, adding that the detection method, developed by a Navy researcher, had already demonstrated the ability to detect MDA in jet fuel using LC. “We had to refine the method and make it easy for an airman to use.”
Axcend developed a system based on that method and submitted a proposal. This ultimately led to a collaboration with Luna Labs, resulting in a dual-path solution—one for benchtop systems and one for portable, capillary LC systems—each capable of identifying MDA at actionable levels.
Simplifying Quantitative Analysis for Non-Chemists
A key criterion within the project was that the analyzer had to be operable by airmen without chemistry training. “They wanted something an 18-year-old could use with minimal training, essentially a go/no-go tester,” expands Ward.
Axcend modified its software to deliver just that: a calibration-driven process that delivers clear pass/fail results based on a 5.7 ppm upper limit for MDA. “Our software walks the user through low cal, high cal, check standard—then you just run the sample,” reveals Ward. “If the check standard at 5.7 ppm reads correctly, you're good to go.” Results are returned in under 10 minutes with 0.1 ppm resolution, offering precise detection with minimal operator input.
Jet Fuel Testing Requires Accuracy in Complex Matrices
Early testing with kerosene and a single Jet A sample showed promise, but broader validation surfaced challenges. When the team received 15–20 additional Jet A samples from Colonial Pipeline, inconsistencies appeared.
“We were detecting MDA in half the samples,” Ward explains. “But we were told there shouldn’t be any MDA at all.” The team re-ran the analysis with diode array detection and discovered that co-eluting amines were interfering with the MDA peak. The method was subsequently adjusted to improve separation and reduce false positives.
Working Toward ASTM Standardization
That revision was critical for the next phase, which involved advancing the method through ASTM. While Axcend and Luna Labs had demonstrated that both portable and benchtop systems could reliably detect MDA, achieving widespread adoption required a recognized standard.
“In May of this year, we passed that next stage,” advises Ward, referring to a successful re-balloting within ASTM. The method continues to move through subcommittee review, with the ultimate goal of inclusion in D1655, the key specification for aviation turbine fuels.
MDA: Real-Time Results vs. Delayed Lab Testing
Traditional testing routes for MDA involve quarantining fuel and shipping samples to central labs—an approach that can take days. Axcend’s FocusAnalyze™ offers an alternative that facilitates quick, on-site decision-making.
“If you can carry an instrument to the point of need and get a reliable test, that’s a huge advantage,” explains Ward. “You validate your check standard, confirm your calibration curve, run the sample, and get an answer.”
The analyzer enables fuel testing at key nodes, from refineries to pipelines to aircraft. It’s especially relevant when multiple suppliers feed into a shared pipeline network and accountability is critical.
Broader Industry Implications: From Defense to Commercial Use
While the original application was military, interest in the method has expanded beyond the defense sector. “We’ve heard from engine manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce,” reveals Ward. “Too much MDA is bad for engines. They want to know what’s really in the fuel.” The Axcend analyzer offers an objective tool for that verification.
The company is also seeing interest from pharmaceutical labs for simplified repeat testing. “Chemists performing the same analysis over and over want that same pass/fail model—run a sample, walk away, and get quant on specific analytes,” says Ward.
Conclusion: Toward a New Standard for Jet Fuel Quality Control
By transforming a traditional LC workflow into a rugged, user-friendly field method, Axcend developed a tool that could reshape jet fuel testing, among other applications. The analyzer’s dual-method approach, real-time output, and compatibility with ASTM standardization make it a practical solution for aviation fuel monitoring, from the tarmac to the supply chain.
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