Untreated Jet Fuel Detonation. The left-hand side of the frame shows ignition of untreated jet fuel. Note the size and width of the blast and the spread of black smoke (mostly PM). The explosive combustion of superfine droplets at the perimeter of the fuel spray starves slower-burning components of the oxygen needed to burn. At the same time, it produces the rapid release of heat degrades nitrogen in the air-fuel vapor mixture without burning it -- the cause of NOx.

HMWPIB-treated Jet Fuel Detonation. The right side of the frame shows the same ignition with HMWPIB-treated fuel. Note the contained, developing flame with a near absence of smoke. Droplets formed by the impact are more homogeneous in size and distribution, improving availabilty of oxygen to ignition sites throughout the fuel vapor. This allows more of the fuel's components to burn droplet to droplet, which produces a lower heat-release profile and preventing the production of NOx.