Objectives:

Specification of desired alternative fuel formulations to improve commercial aircraft engine performance and reduce emissions

• Thermochemical properties of alternative fuel formulations .
• Fundamental studies of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor.
• Alternative Fuel Thermal Stability Measurements.

Approach:

• Conduct bench scale Fischer-Tropsch reaction to optimize aviation fuel quality & yield.
  

  Figure-A:  FT Reactor Feeds Panel	Figure-B:  FT Synthesis Reactor

  • Investigate FT reaction kinetics and product distributions. Key parameters include temperature, pressure, H2:CO feed ratio, space velocity, catalyst compositions.
  • Formulate novel catalyst to improve yields
  • Perform catalyst screening studies

• Conduct bench-scale flame-tube experiments:
  • Quantify the effects of FT fuel composition on combustion characteristics and emissions performance
• Identify key alternative fuel physical / chemical properties that affect combustor performance (emissions, specific fuel consumption, fuel coking)
• Quantify synthetic fuel thermal stability as a function of fuel composition via fuel breakpoint measurement

• All 3 reactors installed with ancillary systems in place
• Completed Area 5 safety review
• Conducting system checkouts – LabView , PLC &, GC
• Testing begins in 10/2008

• Engineering and component procurement underway: completed combustor research hardware fabrication
• Anticipate construction completion 04/2009

• B-109 Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
  Lead: Thomas Tomsik (Tel: 216-977-7519, email: thomas.m.tomsik@nasa.gov)
  • Al Hepp , Jennifer Suder, Angela Surgenor, Judy Yen


• B-109 Fuel Thermal Stability

  Figure-D:  Fuel Thermal Stability

• Fuel Combustion Characteristics
  

  Figure-C2:  Fuel Combustion Research Overview	Figure-C1:  Fuel Combustion Research Hardware

• CE13C Low Pressure, LDI Injector Dynamics Screening Test Facility
  Lead: Clarence Chang (Tel: 216-433-8561, email: clarence.t.chang@nasa.gov)
  • John Delaat, Yolanda Hicks, Kathleen Tacina, Judy Yen