Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Using Safflower Methyl Ester-Jet A1 Blends on Engine Performance and Emissions in Mini Jet Engine

Abstract

This study focused on the investigation of the effect of the SME-Jet A1 mixture on the thrust performance, fuel consumption and pollutant emissions of a small-scale jet engine, also the alternative of safflower methyl ester (SME) to Jet A1 fuel. The experiments were carried out by using bio jet fuels obtained by mixing Jet A1 and the fuel produced from safflower oil in taxi, approach, climb and take-off power cycles of a jet engine. The thrust forces of both types of fuel obtained from the percentage power values of the aircraft under real operating conditions were determined and accordingly CO, HC, CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and exhaust gas temperature measurements were made. As a result of the measurements, approximately 27.5% reduction in thrust was observed with the use of biojet. In addition, HC emissions decreased by up to 51%, while CO emissions increased by 30% at take off while being closer to each other at low rpm. While the CO2 emissions of methyl ester increased by 8-16% depending on the speed change, fuel consumption, while at an acceptable level at low rpm, exceeded 50% at take off.