DEPOSITION OF VOLCANIC MATERIALS IN THE HOT SECTIONS OF 2 GAS-TURBINEENGINES

This paper reports the results of a series of tests designed to determ ine the melting and subsequent deposition behavior of volcanic ash clo ud materials in modern gas turbine engine combustors and high-pressure turbine vanes. The specific materials tested were Mt. St. Helens ash and a soil blend containing volcanic ash (black scoria) from Twin Moun tain, NM. Hot section test systems were built using actual engine comb ustors, fuel nozzles, ignitors, and high-pressure turbine vanes from a n Allison T56 engine can-type combustor and a more modern Pratt and Wh itney F-100 engine annular-type combustor. A rather large turbine inle t temperature range can be achieved using these two combustors. The de position behavior of volcanic materials as well as some of the paramet ers that govern whether or not these volcanic ash materials melt and a re subsequently deposited are discussed.