Abstract

With the establishment of the National Test Facility for Aerospace Fuels and Propulsion at Purdue University in October of 2009, new equipment has been acquired to measure and classify exhaust emissions. This facility utilizes the Honeywell F109 turbofan and Pratt & Whitney PT-6 turboprop engine test cells to analyze the emissions and engine operation of new alternative aviation fuels. This observational study investigates what, if any difference there is in the amount of ambient residual Particulate Matter (PM) in the turbofan engine test cell when compared to ambient particle count associated with the Purdue University Airport (KLAF) property. The project utilized a Model 3776 Ultrafine Particle Counter from TSI Inc. to measure particle counts in the 2-100 nm range both outside on the airport property and inside the test cell. Random samples were then taken and compared via a 2-sample t- test to see if the test cell has a higher concentration of airborne fine particles than is normally observed at the airport property. The result of this study was an assessment of the environmental impact of the F109 test cell burning Jet-A and recommendations to mitigate or reduce its associated particle count.

Keywords

Particulate Matter, PM2.5, turbine engine, test cell, nanoparticle count, EIn, Condensation Particle Counter, ambient particle count, Purdue University Airport, F109 engine

Date of this Version

7-22-2011

Department

Aviation Technology

Department Head

Dr. Brent Bowen

Month of Graduation

August

Year of Graduation

2011

Degree

Master of Aviation and Aerospace Management

Degree Type

Directed Project

Head of Graduate Program

Dr. Richard O. Fanjoy

Advisor 1 or Chair of Committee

Dr. Mary E. Johnson

Committee Member 1

Dr. Craig Miller

Committee Member 2

Professor Timothy Ropp

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