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
Included in
Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Propulsion and Power Commons