At the 2024 AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition held this past January in Orlando, Florida, two members of the Texas A&M Turbomachinery Laboratory, Raquel Juarez, a Ph.D. student, and Dr. Eric Petersen, Director of the Turbomachinery Laboratory, were awarded the AIAA Gas Turbine Engines Best Paper for their innovative research.
Their paper, “Changes in the Composition of Aircraft Lubricants Undergoing Thermal Breakdown,” investigated the effects of high temperatures on turbine oils and explored the efficacy of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in detecting oil degradation. Their research offers crucial insights for enhancing aviation safety protocols and improving operational efficiency in the aerospace industry.
Key Findings
The study, supported in part by the Ralph-James Fellowship awarded to Raquel Juarez in 2023, revealed that synthetic and mineral-based oils behave differently when subjected to high temperatures. Additionally, Juarez and Dr. Petersen found that FTIR spectroscopy has limitations in detecting significant changes in oil composition during breakdown, especially in low-oxygen environments. Further research suggested that additional methods may be necessary to effectively monitor oil health in turbines.
Regarding the direction of future research, Juarez shared, “We are planning to expand on these findings by continuing to study the effect of oxygen on the lubricant degradation process as well as exploring other ways to track the process over time by looking at both lubricant and carbon deposit chemical composition.”
Their paper, which can be accessed here, contributes valuable insights to the field of aerospace engineering, potentially leading to improved maintenance practices and reduced operational issues in aircraft turbines. “We hope that this work and future research in this area help those in the gas turbine and aviation industry better understand the factors that affect high-temperature lubricant degradation and aid in their decision-making regarding engine maintenance,” states Juarez. Congratulations Raquel Juarez and Dr. Eric Petersen!
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The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Turbomachinery Laboratory makes a vital impact on turbomachinery and related industries through research, education, and professional workforce development. Visit turbolab.tamu.edu for more information.
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