Evaluation of Fuel Character Effects on the F101 Engine Combustion System
Abstract
Results of a program to determine the effects of broad variations in fuel properties on the performance, emissions and durability of the General Electric F101 augmented turbofan engine main combustion system are presented. Combustor rig tests conducted at engine idle, takeoff, cruise, dash, cold day ground start and altitude relight operating conditions with 13 different fuels are described. Fuel nozzle fouling tests conducted with the same fuels are also described. The test fuels covered a range of hydrogen contents (12.0 to 14.5%), aromatic type (monocyclic and bicyclic), initial boiling point (285 to 393 K), final boiling point (552 to 679 K) and viscosity (0.83 to 3.25 millimeters 2/s at 300 K). At high power conditions, fuel hydrogen content was found to have a very significant effect on liner temperature, smoke, and NOx levels. While smoke levels decreased with increasing hydrogen content, the levels were very low with all the fuels. At idle conditions, CO and HC levels correlated with fuel atomization/volatility parameters, but showed no relationship to hydrogen content. Cold day ground start and altitude relight also correlated with fuel atomization/volatility parameters, but showed no dependence on hydrogen content. Combustor liner life analyses yielded relative life predictions of 1.00, 0.72, 0.52, and 0.47 for fuel hydrogen contents of 14.5, 14.0, 13.0, and 12.0 percent, respectively. At the present state of turbine stator development, no fuel effect on life is predicted. Extended cyclic fuel nozzle valve gumming tests revealed significant effects of fuel type and temperature on nozzle life. The results correlated with laboratory thermal stability ratings of the fuels based on tube deposits alone
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA077860
Entities
People
- D. W. Bahr
- M. W. Shayeson
- O. C. Gleason
- T. L. Oller
Organizations
- General Electric