STUDY OF TURBINE ENGINE OPERATION WITH GELLED FUELS
Abstract
Three types of gelled Jet A-1 fuels were tested to determine the compatibility of the thickened fuels with typical turbojet engines. The three fuels were: (1) Gel A, a 2-percent concentration of a styrene polymer additive in Jet A-1, (2) Gel B, a 2-percent concentration of a sodium-free styrene polymer additive in Jet A-1, and (3) Gel C, an aluminum octoate gel in Jet A-1, concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 percent. Comparison of engine performance when using regular JP-4 and polymer gelled Jet A-1 fuels indicated that the gel did not markedly affect the engine performance in the power range from 70 to 95 percent of rated engine r/min. The polymer gels, however, could not be used from engine light-off to idle power in the J47 engine. A 15-minute test using Gel A was conducted on a J57 engine. When operating the J57 engine, the Gel A was used from light-off to maximum power, and no difficulty was experienced in running the unmodified engine with this fuel. Gel C could not be used successfully in the J47 engine even when providing fuel manifold pressures of 250 psi, corresponding with 82 percent of rated engine rotor speed. Combustion could not be maintained and a relight could not be effected when switching back to JP-4 fuel. Preliminary chemical analysis of a combustion can, after 1 hour of engine operation using the sodium-free polymer Gel B, indicated no corrosive effects or excessive carbon buildup in the combustion chamber.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0711765
Entities
People
- Robert F. Salmon