Comparative Analysis of Aeroshell 500 Oil Effects on Jet A and Diesel-Powered Aviation Microturbines

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of adding Aeroshell 500 oil on physicochemical properties. It was found that the oil’s kinematic viscosity is much higher than that of diesel and Jet A, with a higher density and flash point as well. Elemental analysis revealed a higher carbon content and lower hydrogen content in Aeroshell oil compared to Jet A and diesel, with lower calorific power. Adding 5% oil increases the mixture viscosity, flash point, and density; decreases the calorific power; and increases the carbon content for both diesel and Jet A. In the second part, mathematical models determined the combustion temperatures for Jet A, diesel, Jet A plus 5% Aeroshell 500 oil, and diesel plus 5% Aeroshell 500 oil, based on an air excess from one to five. Elemental analysis determined the oxygen and air quantities for these mixtures and stoichiometric combustion reaction for CO2 and H2O. Regarding the CO2 quantity, adding 5% Aeroshell 500 to Jet A increases it from 3.143 kg to 3.159 kg for each kilogram of mixture burned in the stoichiometric reaction. Similarly, adding the oil to diesel in a 5% proportion increases the CO2 quantity from 3.175 to 3.190 in the stoichiometric reaction. Through experimentation with the Jet Cat P80 microturbine engine across four operating regimes, it was observed that the combustion chamber temperature and fuel flow rate are lower when using diesel with a 5% addition of Aeroshell 500 oil compared to Jet A with the same additive. However, the thrust is slightly higher with diesel + 5% Aeroshell 500 oil. Moreover, the specific fuel consumption is higher in regimes one and two for diesel + 5% Aeroshell 500 oil compared to Jet A + 5% Aeroshell 500 oil, while the differences are negligible in regimes three and four. At maximum operating conditions, the excess air was determined from the measured values, comparing the combustion chamber temperature with the calculated value, with a 7% error, extrapolating the results for the scenario when oil is not used. Also, during the testing campaign, the concentrations of CO and SO2 in the exhaust gas jet were measured, with higher concentrations of CO and SO2 observed for diesel compared to Jet A.