The Effects of Water on Jet/Prop Engines
Posted by gigglesandshit4brain@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 4 comments
Hi everyone, curious individual here! With Hurricane Milton and the videos of the hurricane hunters going through the hurricane, I had a thought of how come the engines don't stall/fail with all of the water they are sucking in. After some quick searching, jet engines are specifically tested (crazy video of them performing the test) for this and work better with water, to the point of "wet takeoffs" being a thing.
My question is what are the physics behind this? Are the physics/principles the same for a jet engine and a prop (i.e., piston) engine?
Thanks for any insight!
Fickle_Force_5457@reddit
The CFM56-3 had a bit of a problem when they first came out with rain and hail ingestion, one air craft had a dead stick landing after both engines failed, it was a text book landing and everyone was okay. The engines were modified to prevent it in future. But basically engines are okay as the water gets thrown to the outside of the rotor due to centrifugal force then the increase in heat on compression tends to deal with it. The engines will be run at a higher power setting than normal usually due to the ant ice being switched on. Turboprops have another advantage in that the engine intake is not direct in line from the airframe intake in most cases. Rain and hail can be bypassed straight through by either a flap or ducting shape
ncc81701@reddit
You can inject water into jet engines to cool down turbine blades and increase mass flow to produce more thrust. There simply isn’t enough water to cool down the combustor to the point where it flames out by just flying it through the rain.
spacecadet2399@reddit
Yes, there's a point at which there would be too much water, but it is well beyond what would ever be experienced in weather at altitude. You would essentially need to be underwater for an engine to flame out just due to liquid water. Hail can do damage of a different kind, but that's not really what you're asking.
Not sure exactly what you're asking here. Physics don't change regardless of engine type. The laws of physics are the same for everything.
flitemdic@reddit
Several reasons:
Turboprop tend to be slower- less stress on the airfare when combined with the turbulence already encountered.
Turboprop are more hail tolerant.
The airframes they are attached to are older and tend to be more rugged.
They are typically more fuel efficent- more linger time.
Shorter take off and landing distance makes for more options in airfield if something goes south in flight.
Not a pilot, just high pieces cargo for many years, but this question was one I asked of a pilot who had been there but was now working at the base I was assigned to a a civilian contractor.