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The Use of Ethanol as an Alternative Fuel for Small Turbojet Engines

Author

Listed:
  • Rudolf Andoga

    (Department of Avionics, Faculty of Aeronautics, Technical University of Košice, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia)

  • Ladislav Főző

    (Department of Aviation Engineering, Faculty of Aeronautics, Technical University of Košice, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia)

  • Martin Schrötter

    (Department of Avionics, Faculty of Aeronautics, Technical University of Košice, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia)

  • Stanislav Szabo

    (Department of Air Traffic Management, Faculty of Aeronautics, Technical University of Košice, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia)

Abstract

The use of alternative fuels to traditional kerosene-based ones in turbo-jet engines is currently being widely explored and researched. However, the application of alternative fuels in the area of small turbojet engines with thrust ratings up to 2 kilo-newtons, which are used as auxiliary power units or to propel small aircraft or drones, is not as well researched. This paper explores the use of ethanol as a sustainable fuel and its effects on the operation of a small turbojet engine under laboratory conditions. Several concentrations of ethanol and JET A-1 mixtures are explored to study the effects of this fuel on the basic parameters of a small turbojet engine. The influence of the different concentrations of the mixture on the start-up process, speed of the engine, exhaust gas temperature, and compressor pressure are evaluated. The measurements shown in the article represent a pilot study, the results of which show that ethanol can be reliably used as an alternative fuel only when its concentration in a mixture with traditional fuel is lower than 40%, yielding positive effects on the operating temperatures and small negative effects on the speed or thrust of the engine.

Suggested Citation

  • Rudolf Andoga & Ladislav Főző & Martin Schrötter & Stanislav Szabo, 2021. "The Use of Ethanol as an Alternative Fuel for Small Turbojet Engines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2541-:d:506481
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Longfei & Zhang, Zhichao & Lu, Yiji & Zhang, Chi & Zhang, Xin & Zhang, Cuiqi & Roskilly, Anthony Paul, 2017. "Experimental study of the gaseous and particulate matter emissions from a gas turbine combustor burning butyl butyrate and ethanol blends," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 693-701.
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    Cited by:

    1. Radu Mirea, 2025. "The Use of Jet A Aviation Fuel Blended with Biodiesel and Alcohols as a Sustainable Aviation Fuel: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Bartosz Gawron & Aleksander Górniak & Tomasz Białecki & Anna Janicka & Radosław Włostowski & Adriana Włóka & Justyna Molska & Maciej Zawiślak, 2021. "Impact of a Synthetic Component on the Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds during the Combustion Process in a Miniature Turbine Engine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Małgorzata Pawlak & Michał Kuźniar, 2022. "The Effects of the Use of Algae and Jatropha Biofuels on Aircraft Engine Exhaust Emissions in Cruise Phase," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-10, May.

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