Dr. Radu Kuncser

The transition toward sustainable aviation fuels requires dedicated experimental platforms capable of evaluating alternative fuels under realistic propulsion conditions. This study presents the development and laboratory experimental validation of a modular testing installation designed for sustainable fuels derived from plastic waste pyrolysis, intended for aerospace engine applications. The proposed system is conceived as an integrated small-scale gas turbine assembly that reproduces the functional characteristics of a jet engine and enables controlled laboratory investigations of dynamic behavior, combustion stability, and performance. The installation comprises a compressor, annular combustion chamber, and turbine mounted on a common shaft, along with a fully autonomous fuel supply system equipped with electronically controlled pumping, safety devices, and thermal conditioning of the fuel mixture via an attached Stirling engine. Combustion processes are continuously evaluated using an exhaust gas analysis system to assess fuel composition and combustion quality, while a high-speed camera operating at 50,000 fps enables detailed visualization of flame stability. Operating parameters, including temperatures, pressures, rotational speed, mass flow rates, and thrust, are monitored and recorded through an integrated control and data acquisition system with real-time analysis capabilities. Experimental results demonstrate stable operation and reliable ignition using alternative fuel mixtures, confirming the suitability of the modular installation as a versatile research platform for the assessment and comparative analysis of sustainable aerospace fuels.