Performance Deterioration of a Turbofan and a Turbojet Engine Upon Exposure to a Dust Environment

Abstract

Results are reported for a measurement program designed to investigate the performance deterioration of a TF33 turbofan and a J57 turbojet engine upon exposure to a dust-laden environment. Engine parameters were measured in order to facilitate the recognition of incipient engine difficulties. In addition, a successful effort was made to operate the engines satisfactorily when they were severely damaged. Two TF33 engines have been operated in the same dust mixture but under different operating conditions and a J57 engine was operated at the same conditions as one of the TF33 engines. The JS7 is the core engine of the TF33 with some differences that will be described in the paper. A description of the experimental technique, the operating experiences, photographs of the components taken from the J57 engine in a post-test teardown, and a discussion of the results are presented.