Evaluating the Performance and Exhaust Emissions of a Micro Gas Turbine Engine Fueled by Kerosene and Olive Oil Methyl Ester Blends

Abstract

The search for renewable, affordable energy alternatives has gained momentum in light of dwindling fossil fuel reserves. Biofuels, particularly those derived from plant sources, present a viable solution to both the energy crisis and environmental degradation. This study focuses on the implementation of olive oil methyl ester (OME) biofuel in micro gas turbine engines. Biofuel blends, with volumetric OME concentrations ranging from 20% to 80% in standard kerosene, were prepared and tested on a GT 85-2-H micro gas turbine unit. The engine's performance and exhaust emissions were evaluated under two different operational parameters: constant speed and constant load. The use of an 80% OME biofuel blend resulted in an 8.7% reduction in overall efficiency and a 13.1% increase in specific fuel consumption (SFC) under an 80% load. However, it also led to a significant improvement in exhaust emissions, with reductions of 28.8%, 39%, and 33.8% recorded for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NO x ), respectively. Similarly, under a constant speed test at 20000 rpm, an 80% OME blend caused a 10.5% reduction in overall efficiency and a 13.6% increase in SFC. Nevertheless, the same blend improved the CO, HC, and NO x emissions by 38%, 41.4%, and 36%, respectively. The findings confirm the potential of OME as a biofuel in micro gas turbine engines, underlining its effectiveness in reducing harmful emissions. This research emphasizes the feasibility of biofuels derived from olive oil in addressing future energy demands while mitigating environmental impact.