Performance and Emission Characteristics of an Aircraft Turbo Diesel Engine using JET-A Fuel

Abstract

Performance and emission data was acquired by testing an aircraft turbo diesel engine with JET-A at the Mal Harned Propulsion Laboratory of the University of Kansas. The performance data was analyzed and compared to the presented data of the manufacturer. The performance test data of the engine was similar to those reported in the handbook of the engine. The emission data was collected in percent of volume, mass, and part per million units. The different types of pollutants that were evaluated were NOx, CO, CO2, and HC. The emission investigation demonstrates that the aircraft turbo diesel emission data (g/kg fuel) was close to other turbine engines reported in the literature. The emission data of the diesel engine was not predicted to equal the turbine engine, but was predicted to be smaller. In addition, the emission testing established that the CO emission from the diesel engine was significantly lower than a spark-ignition reciprocating aircraft engine. Emission regulations were used to verify the turbo diesel engine's emission data. The engine passed all the requirements from the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Federal Aviation Administration.