Combustion Assessment of a 50% Algae-Based HRD76 Fuel and 50% Conventional F76 Military Diesel Fuel Blend

As part of the United States Navy green energy initiative, engineers at Rolls-Royce and NAVSEA conducted a combustion assessment for a blend of 50% algae-derived HRD76 biofuel and 50% conventional F76 military diesel. The assessment consisted of combustion rig testing with Rolls-Royce Model 501-K34 gas turbine combustion system hardware. Identical tests were performed with the biofuel blend and a baseline fuel consisting of 100% F76 military diesel. The test results quantified the impact of the alternative fuel blend on ignition, lean blow-out, combustor exit temperature profile, combustion system hardware temperatures, primary zone flame radiance, carbon deposition, and emissions. This paper discusses the methods and results of the combustion rig tests.