The Effect of Electrostatics on the Trajectory and Adhesion of Dust Particles in Jet Engines
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Date
2024-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Despite the continued advancements in jet turbine engines to be more efficient and run hotter, foreign object damage (FOD) still poses a large problem and can negate some of the improvements. Extensive research has been done on how FOD such as dust particles can impact cooling holes and build up within engines over time, but there has been limited research on the influence of electrostatic forces on these particles. This research aimed to investigate how electrostatics from the atmosphere and tribocharging affect the trajectory and adhesion of dust particles within jet turbine engines. Three tests were conducted: a vertical drop test within a uniform electric field, an angled drop test on a charged plate, and an impingement cooling deposition test using a charged target. In the vertical drop test, 0-20µm Arizona Road Dust (ARD) was dropped through an electric field 90cm tall and 10cm apart. Mass fractions were collected on different sections of the electric field to determine alterations in the particles’ trajectory. The angled drop demonstrated the influence of charge on the tested dust’s adhesion strength by dropping the 0-20µm ARD on a 10° tilted, 90cm tall, charged plate. The impingement cooling deposition test simulated engine conditions, with 0-10µm ARD blown through a narrow tube at high velocity and temperature impacting a charged target. The results indicated that at low speeds the electric field significantly influenced the ARD trajectory, with smaller particles more affected than larger particles. Increased voltage in the angled drop test correlated with larger deposits at the top of the plate, which showed higher adhesion strength of the dust. Surprisingly, higher plate voltage in the impingement cooling deposition test led to decreased dust accumulation in the region of interest. By exploring dust behavior within engines under electrostatic influence, these findings will open new possibilities for enhanced engine performance and durability.
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Keywords
Electrostatics, Jet Engines, Tribocharging, Foreign Object Damage