Performance and Emissions of a Microturbine and Turbofan Powered by Alternative Fuels

Abstract

Alternative fuels containing biocomponents produced in various technologies are introduced in aviation to reduce its carbon footprint but there is little data describing their impact on the performance and emissions of engines. The purpose of the work is to compare the performance and gas emissions produced from two different jet engines—the GTM-140 microturbine and the full-size DGEN380 turbofan, powered by blends of Jet A-1 and one of two biocomponents: (1) Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) and (2) Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) produced from used cooking oil (UCO) in various concentrations. The acquired data will be used to develop an engine emissivity model to predict gas emissions. Blends of the mineral fuel with synthetic components were prepared in various concentrations, and their physicochemical parameters were examined in the laboratory. Measurements of emissions from both engines were carried out in selected operating points using the Semtech DS gaseous analyzer and the EEPS spectrometer. The impact of tested blends on engine operating parameters is limited, and their use does not carry the risk of a significant decrease in aircraft performance or increase in fuel consumption. Increasing the content of biocomponents causes a noticeable rise in the emission of CO and slight increase for some other gasses (HC and NOx), which should not, however, worsen the working conditions of the ground personnel. This implies that there are no contraindications against using tested blends for fuelling gas-turbine engines.

Characterization of Particle Emissions from a DGEN 380 Small Turbofan Fueled with ATJ Blends

“…Before the test, the alternative fuel was mixed in the following volume proportions with the JetA-1 fuel: 0% ATJ, 5% ATJ, 20% ATJ, and 30% ATJ. The physicochemical properties of these fuel blends were presented by Przysowa et al [23].…”

“…Using a blend of biofuel and conventional fuel in aircraft engine can decrease the number and mass of emitted particles immediately behind the aircraft by 50-70% comparing to pure conventional fuel [18]. Since 2009 there are seven methods of producing alternative aviation fuels approved by the ASTM D7566 standard, which is a standard assigned for aviation turbine fuel containing synthesized hydrocarbons (Table 1) [22,23]. Bio-jet fuels are produced from, i.e., vegetable oil, lignocellosic biomass, algae, and municipal solid wastes.…”

Model-based dynamic performance simulation of a microturbine

“…One major use is likely to be for energy production, as standby or backup power, where power availability is critical. Alternative fuels are another area when microturbines can be used: in fact, they represent a useful tool for research [1] [2]. Their use for propulsive purposes in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is increasing in the last years, as more producers make more microturbines available, and with a wide range of thrust classes [3].…”

Reactivity Model as a Tool to Compare the Combustion Process in Aviation Turbine Engines Powered by Synthetic Fuels

“…Research regarding new components, both for compression-ignition, and aviation turbine engines demands the development of predictive methods, and the assessment of the effect of a fuel chemical composition on the combustion process [11][12][13][14].…”