Experimental Investigation of Particulate Number Measurement Methodology for Micro-Turbojet Engine Emissions

Abstract

Increasing aviation activities have heightened concerns about particulate emissions from aircraft engines. Current ICAO standards mainly focus on large civil turbofan engines, leaving a gap in the research on PN emissions from small aircraft engines. This study examined the PN emission characteristics of micro-turbojet engines, including the morphology, PN, and size distribution under different load conditions, compared with a micro-piston engine. The results showed that the nvPM from micro-turbojet engines was larger and more complex than typical aviation soot, likely due to reduced combustion efficiency and incomplete fuel combustion. Micro-turbojet engines exhibited fewer fluctuations in their emission index number (EIn) and emission index mass (EIm) at lower speeds. The geometric mean diameter (GMD) of particles was inversely correlated with thrust, while the geometric standard deviation (GSD) slightly increased with thrust. Quantitative comparisons indicated that PN emissions from micro-turbojet engines were higher, with EIn values ranging from 2.0 to 3.3 × 1016/kg fuel compared with 1.2 to 1.5 × 1016/kg fuel for micro-piston engines. EIm values for micro-turbojet engines ranged from 8 to 40 mg/kg fuel, while micro-piston engines had slightly higher values due to better carbonization. These findings validated the measurement methodology used to accurately assess PN emissions under low-thrust conditions in micro-turbojet engines. These results provide crucial insights and support for the future monitoring and regulation of PN emissions across all thrust conditions in small aircraft engines.