For tankers (and others) -- the VEESS

[pmulcahy11b]

Some vehicles (especially tanks) have the ability to lay a smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into their exhausts -- the VEESS (Vehicle Engine Exhaust Smoke System). I have been unable to find out how much extra fuel this consumes. Anyone have any figures on this (whether you are a tanker or not)?

[Marc]

I'm not a tanker, but I think I have found the numbers you're searching.

Curious system, the VEESS. I did'nt know anything about it before your post, but after little searching, it seems quite a good system to screen a vehicle.

I’ve found the link below:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/71-12/Appg.htm#p3


Under “Smoke defense” you will find:


“The VEESS consumes approximately 1 gallon of fuel per minute of operation. It can only be operated when the engine is running”

Talking in Twilight terms, I suppose that this system must be limited to diesel engines and it could not be used in vehicles burning methanol or ethanol, due to the risk of an explosion.

Arreveure!

[pmulcahy11b]

Jeez! That's a lot of fuel!

American vehicles have had their VEESS's removed, since they burn JP-8 instead of diesel these days. JP-8 doesn't produce smoke when you spray it into the exhaust. That wouldn't be a problem in the T2K timeline.

[Grimace]

That's strange...I would have thought that JP-8 would still create smoke. Having been an aircraft refueler, I know that JP-8 is essentially just a more refined version of diesel (of sorts). I could see something like AvGas not producing any smoke, since that's essentially a more refined version of kerosene, but JP-8 would still smoke if it burned. Maybe shooting it into the exhaust system doesn't provide enough heat to actually burn the JP-8 or something, since it's actually possible to put out a match with JP-8 without igniting the fuel.

(Mind you, I'm not suggesting to anyone to attempt this, since it's only done as a demonstration under controlled conditions and with proper safety measures in place)

[chico20854]

The Soviets had a similar system in their tanks. I read, however, that they took them out of tanks that had vehicle-mounted smoke grenade launchers.

[kato13]

Just found this regarding JP-8 smoke production.


The lack of adequate smoke with JP-8 in the Vehicle Engine Exhaust Smoke System (VEESS) is detrimental to the effective use of JP-8 as the single battlefield fuel. The VEESS is considered a force multiplier and is very critical in armor strategies. Adaptation of an auxiliary tank containing a POL product that provides adequate smoke is a possible solution.

http://en.scientificcommons.org/18866476

I think they tried to combine the JP-8 with 5% crankcase oil at the injection port.

[Grimace]

Ah...that explains it. JP-8 makes smoke, just not enough to do what VEESS is supposed to do. Makes sense now.