Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Small Gas Turbine Engine Using Hexanol as a Biomass-Derived Fuel

Abstract

The global transition to renewable energy has amplified the need for sustainable aviation fuels. This study investigates hexanol, a biomass-derived alcohol, as an alternative fuel for small-scale gas turbines. Experimental trials were conducted on a JETPOL GTM-160 turbine, assessing blends of 25% (He25) and 50% (He50) hexanol with kerosene (JET A) under rotational velocities ranging from 40,000 to 110,000 RPM. The parameters measured included thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC), turbine inlet and outlet velocities, and the emission indices of NOx and CO. The results demonstrated that the He25 and He50 blends achieved comparable thermal efficiency to pure JET A at high rotational velocities, despite requiring higher fuel flows due to hexanol’s lower heating value. CO emissions decreased significantly at higher velocities, reflecting improved combustion efficiency with hexanol blends, while NOx emissions exhibited a slight increase, attributed to the oxygen content of the fuel. This study contributes a novel analysis of hexanol-kerosene blends in gas turbines, offering insights into their operational and emission characteristics. These findings underscore hexanol’s potential as an environmentally friendly alternative fuel, aligning with global efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependency and carbon emissions.