Smoke Abatement for DoD Test Cells

The Department of Defense owns and operates nearly 200 jet engine test cells. Occasionally, visible exhaust smoke is emitted from these structures. Several pollution control agencies, most notably the State of California, have expressed interest in limiting test cell smoke emissions. A review committee composed of various Air Force and Navy representatives recommended further study of fuel additives as a means of achieving this goal. They recognized additives as the most promising near term solution to the test cell smoke problem. Ferrocene appeared to the best of existing additives. Studies were undertaken to determine the environmental impact, toxicological hazards and engine effects associated with routine ferrocene use. Four types of Navy turbine engines were tested for ten hours each using ferrocene. These tests indicated that engines suffered no harm attributable to ferrocene, but that the additive must be certified for each engine type on an individual basis. Emission measurements made during the tests showed that most pollutants are virtually unchanged in quantity and character by ferrocene use and that particulate matter is actually reduced.