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; anhydrous ethanol was miscible in both base fuels. These blends reduced radiation and exhaust smoke, increased CO and total hydrocarbon emissions, and decreased combustion efficiency. NOx was reduced when the surfactant did not contain nitrogen. The reductions in smoke and radiation correlated with changes in the H/C ratio of the fuel blends. Anhydrous ethanol/fuel solutions were most effective in reducing smoke from the standpoint of cost, operational, and systems effects.