EXHAUST SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS

Fig. 6-6 An insulating blanket.

CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
13. The exhaust system must be capable of withstanding the high gas temperatures and is therefore manufactured from nickel or titanium. It is also necessary to prevent any heat being transferred to the surrounding aircraft structure. This is achieved by passing ventilating air around the jet pipe, or by lagging the section of the exhaust system with an insulating blanket (fig. 6-6). Each blanket has an inner layer of fibrous insulating material contained by an outer skin of thin stainless steel, which is dimpled to increase its strength. In addition, acousticallyabsorbent materials are sometimes applied to the exhaust system to reduce engine noise (Part 19).

Exhaust system | EXHAUST GAS FLOW

Fig. 6-1 A basic exhaust system.

INTRODUCTION
1. Aero gas turbine engines have an exhaust system which passes the turbine discharge gases to atmosphere at a velocity, and in the required direction, to provide the resultant thrust. The velocity and pressure of the exhaust gases create the thrust in the turbo-jet engine (para. 5) but in the turbopropeller engine only a small amount of thrust is contributed by the exhaust gases, because most of the energy has been absorbed by the turbine for driving the propeller. The design of the exhaust system therefore, exerts a considerable influence on the performance of the engine. The areas of the jet pipe and propelling or outlet nozzle affect the turbine entry temperature, the mass airflow and the velocity and pressure of the exhaust jet.
2. The temperature of the gas entering the exhaust system is between 550 and 850 deg. C. according to the type of engine and with the use of afterburning (Part 16) can be 1,500 deg. C. or higher. Therefore, it is necessary to use materials and a form of construction that will resist distortion and cracking, and prevent heat conduction to the aircraft structure.
3. A basic exhaust system is shown in fig. 6-1. The use of a thrust reverser (Part 15), noise suppressor (Part 19) and a two position propelling nozzle entails a more complicated system as shown in fig. 6-2. The low by-pass engine may also include a mixer unit (fig. 6-4) to encourage a thorough mixing of the hot and cold gas streams.

Fig. 6-2 Exhaust system with thrust reverser, noise suppressor and two position propelling nozzle.

Combustion stability

Fig. 4-11 Combustion stability limits.

28. Combustion stability means smooth burning and the ability of the flame to remain alight over awide operating range.
29. For any particular type of combustion chamber there is both a rich and weak limit to the air/fuel ratio, beyond which the flame is extinguished. An extinction is most likely to occur in flight during a glide or dive with the engine idling, when there is ahigh airflow and only a small fuel flow, i.e. a veryweak mixture strength.
30. The range of air/fuel ratio between the rich and weak limits is reduced with an increase of air velocity, and if the air mass flow is increased beyond a certain value, flame extinction occurs. A typical stability loopis illustrated in fig. 4-11

COMBUSTION CHAMBER PERFORMANCE

Fig. 4-9 Annular combustion chamber.

COMBUSTION CHAMBER PERFORMANCE
23. A combustion chamber must be capable of allowing fuel to burn efficiently over a wide range of operating conditions without incurring a large pressure loss. In addition, if flame extinction occurs, then it must be possible to relight. In performing these functions, the flame tube and spray nozzleatomizer components must be mechanically reliable.
24. The gas turbine engine operates on a constant pressure cycle, therefore any loss of pressure during the process of combustion must be kept to a minimum. In providing adequate turbulence and mixing, a total pressure loss varying from about 3 to 8 per cent of the air pressure at entry to the chamber is incurred.

Rolls-Royce RB41 Nene | Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent

Rolls-Royce RB41 Nene

Rolls-Royce RB211 Trent

On 17 March 1944 Rolls-Royce commenced work on the RB40 as the result of a Government request for a turbo-jet of 4200 lb thrust. After discussions with Supermarine, the airframe designers, the engine was scaled down to produce 3400 lb. The resulting Nene was eventually rated at 5000 lb and powered the Hawker Sea Hawk and Supermarine Attacker.