Fuel Microemulsions for Jet Engine Smoke Reduction
Abstract
The concept of water and alcohol/fuel microemulsions for the purpose of reducing smoke emissions from jet engine test cells was studied in a T-63 gas turbine combustor. Several ethanol/fuel, methanol/fuel and water/fuel microemulsions were prepared with JP-4 and JP-8 base fuels and the appropriate surfactants. Both metallic (ferrocene) and nonmetallic (hydrazine) smoke-reducing additives were examined for possible synergistic effects when combined with the microemulsified fuels. The fuels were tested at the takeoff, climb, cruise and ground idle operating condition, and the exhaust smoke, flame radiation and gaseous emissions were measured. The exhaust smoke and flame radiation were significantly reduced by the additions of alcohols and water to the base fuels. Ethanol was found to be most cost effective because it required the least amount of surfactant, which was the most expensive fuel component. The tendency of the microemulsions to form soot was found to correlate with H/C ratio in the same way as typical petroleum-base fuels. Ferrocene, which is well known for its ability to reduce exhaust smoke, had the same effect on the microemulsions as the base fuels; it did not affect flame radiation. Hydrazine was not an effective additive for reducing exhaust smoke.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA100489
Entities
People
- C. A. Moses
- D. W. Naegeli
- G. E. Fodor
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute