The reliable operation of gas turbine engines in combat vehicles is largely dependent on the cleanliness of the air entering the engine. For naval vehicles, this means removing seawater salts, while for ground vehicles like tanks, it involves filtering out sand and dirt. Air cleaning is performed by separators installed in the engine’s air intake system, whose efficiency depends on the velocity of the air passing through them. This velocity is determined by the engine’s power mode at a given speed. Deviations from the optimal air flow velocity, whether higher or lower, result in decreased separator efficiency. As a result, when engine power fluctuates over a wide range during vehicle operation, the separators often operate at reduced efficiency, allowing contaminants to enter the engine and increasing the need for maintenance. A new method and system for air cleaning is proposed, radically improving the initial design. It allows for maintaining consistent efficiency across the entire power range—from idle to maximum power.
gas turbine, air cleaning, salt, propulsion, design, corrosion, repair, maintenance, engine
