An investigation of euro diesel-hydrogen dual-fuel combustion at different speeds in a small turbojet engine

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks the effect on static thrust, thrust specific energy consumption (TSEC) and exhaust emissions of euro diesel-hydrogen dual-fuel combustion in a small turbojet engine.

Design/methodology/approach

Experimental studies are performed in a JetCat P80-SE type small turbojet engine. Euro diesel and hydrogen is fed through two different inlets in a common rail distributing fuel to the nozzles. Euro diesel fuel is fed by a liquid fuel pump to the engine, while hydrogen is fed by a fuel-line with a pressure of 5 bars from a gas cylinder with a pressure of approximately 200 bars.

Findings

At different engine speeds, it is found that there is a decrease at the TSEC between a range of 1% and 4.8% by different hydrogen energy fractions (HEF).

Research limitations/implications

The amount of hydrogen is adjusted corresponding to a range of 0–20% of the total heat energy of the euro diesel and hydrogen fuels. The small turbojet engine is operated between a range of 35,000 and 95,000 rpm engine speeds.

Practical implications

On the other hand, remarkable improvements in exhaust emissions (i.e. CO, CO₂, HC and NO_x) are observed with HEFs.

Originality/value

This is through providing improvements in performance and exhaust emissions using hydrogen as an alternative to conventional jet fuel in gas turbine engines.

Citation

Akçay, I.H.H., Gürbüz, H., Akçay, H. and Aldemir, M. (2021), "An investigation of euro diesel-hydrogen dual-fuel combustion at different speeds in a small turbojet engine", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 93 No. 4, pp. 701-710. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-10-2020-0235