Performance Assessment of Turbojet Engine Operated With Alternative Biodiesel

This study investigated experimentally the performance of turbojet engine fueled by biodiesel obtained from different feedstocks. The engine is equipped with measuring sensors for pressure, temperature, thrust, shaft speed in addition to flow meter, data acquisition system and a control unit. The results of the effect of biodiesel fuel type and its blends on turbojet engine performance are presented. Three biodiesel fuels which are Cotton methyl ester (CTME), Corn methyl ester (CRME) and Sunflower methyl ester (SME) and their blends of B10, B20 and B50 (10%, 20% and 50% biodiesel/Jet A1 by volume) are used and compared with the engine recommended fuel (Jet A1). Moreover, in this study, the Biodiesel fuel is produced through transesterification process in which the triglyceride (oil) reacts with alcohol (methanol) to form the mono-alkyl ester (biodiesel) and glycerol. Physical and chemical properties of all produced and tested fuels are measured. The results clearly indicate that the produced biodiesel fuels have a higher density, kinematic viscosity, than JetA-1 fuel, while, the calorific value of biodiesel fuels is very close to JetA-1 fuel. Moreover, JetA-1 fuel has higher sulfur content than other biodiesel fuels. Also, the experimental results show that Engine speed for the cases of using biodiesel fuels is lower than JetA-1 fuel at the same fuel throttle valve opening. Moreover, the Biodiesel fuels have a lower fuel volume flow rate compared to JetA-1 at the same throttle valve opening that lead to decrease the engine static thrust as well as lower value of TSFC.