Comparative analysis of using diesel/JP-8 fuel blends and JP-8 for the exergetic sustainability performance of an UAV turbojet engine

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to analyse the effects for the partial use of diesel fuel with kerosene-based JP-8 on the jet engine's performance by using exergetic sustainability parameters. Three fuel types were defined as 100% JP-8, 75% JP-8/ 25% Diesel and 50% JP-8/ 50% Diesel. Firstly, the exergy analysis was implemented to the jet engine components. Then five exergetic sustainability parameters: waste exergy ratio (WER), environmental effect factor (EEF), exergetic sustainability index (ESI), ecological effect factor (EcoEF) and sustainability efficiency factor (SEF) were calculated. The exergetic sustainability parameters showed that the increase in diesel fuel use caused slightly higher WER, EEF and EcoEF values, as well as slightly lower ESI and SEF values for the combustion chamber and overall jet engine. It was concluded that partial use of diesel can be an alternative for low altitudes under obligatory conditions in small UAV turbojet engines.