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Thread: alt fuels?
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Old 21st December 2005 | 05:47
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NickLappos
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,012
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From: USA
Other than that it is not approved, if a fuel is liquid and it burns, a turbine will burn it, and run ok, for a while. The fuel control automatically makes up for the volumetric density differences, and all fuels have about the same heat/energy per pound, so the engine will run nicely.

The problem isn't water, or pump lube, it is the crud that is left on the hot section when the fuel burns away. Worst fuel is car gas with lead or anti-knock compounds, which coat the turbine blades and make an awful mess in just a few hours.

If the gas is pure and has no lead/antiknock, it is fine.

Another concern is the fuel pump and suction system. Thin fuels like gasoline with low vapor pressures will bubble out at lower altitudes than regular kerosene, and starve the engine after a few "low fuel pressure" light blinks.
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