Honeywell will be analyzing the effects of ash ingestion in two of its TPE331 turboprop engines used to gather scientific data during recent volcanic eruptions and flights into the subsequent ash cloud over Europe. The engines powered a Dornier 228 and accumulated 10 hours of operation in the volcanic ash cloud and an additional 22 hours of operation in the outer zone of the cloud. The engines have been returned to Phoenix for analytical teardown and evaluation.
“The industry has little information on the effects of volcanic ash ingestion in turbine engines and we hope the data we gain from this effort will help define operational impact to the engine and any damage to components,” said Ronald J. Rich, Vice President, Propulsion Systems, Honeywell Aerospace. “These volcanic eruptions give us an opportunity to systematically analyze volcanic ash impact to our engines and this examination could yield a basis for future turbine engine performance and maintenance service data.”
The TPE331 powered aircraft operated by the Natural Environment Research Council in the United Kingdom, was collecting particulate data at one second intervals during their flights into the clouds. The data includes composition of the debris along with navigational and engine operational data.
