EVALUATION OF A REPROCESSED FUEL IN A HIGH-SPEED DIESEL ENGINE

A Reprocessed fuel, MIL-F-16884H, Fuel, Naval Distillate (NATO F-76) was evaluated in a Detroit Diesel Allison 71-series engine configured both as a turbocharged version and as a naturally aspirated version with a mechanical blower. The engine test parameters outlined in MIL-E-24455 were used, except a shorter durability test period of 304 (vice 1,000 hours) was used. A baseline NATO F-76 diesel fuel was used to compare performance for each engine configuration throughout the evaluations. Data were collected to determine performance checks, full-power checks, gaseous and particulate combustion exhaust emissions, engine operating conditions, and an analysis of the status of the engine in pre- and post-test teardowns. A review of the performance of the reprocessed fuel in the two engine configurations and conclusions regarding the potential use of the fuel use in U.S. Navy shipboard high-speed diesel engines are presented. No fuel-related problems were noted in the engine performance. Investigations are continuing, however, to better define the effect on certain fuel-wetted materials.