Trent 500 question

[scruggs]

Hi folks,

Quick question regarding the Trent 500. I had the pleasure of returning from Tokyo on a VS A340-600 a few weeks back. Upon arrival back at EGLL, I saw small amounts of smoke coming from a small pipe exiting the bottom of the number 1 engine. Though not a Trent 500 belonging to a VS A346, the pipe in question can be seen in this image:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0424390/L/

Can anybody please tell me what’s being vented please?

Thanks in advance for your time and replies.

Cheers

S

[Swedish Steve]

That is the overboard outlet of the vent system. The hot air from the bearings and gearbox is vented overboard. There is oil mist in this air, and a centrifugal separator that spins out the oil. But at idle, the separator is not very effective some of the oil goes through and you see oil mist coming out.

[scruggs]

Swedish Steve, thank you very much indeed for the info.

Cheers

S