ZAMBIA AIR SERVICES TRAINING INSTITUTE

ENGINEERING SCHOOL

Name: NICHOLAS SIMANGOLWA JR.

Program: AME 27
Subject: A\C GAS TURBINE ENGINES III
Instructor: MR. LWANDO
Task: GTE TEST 1 TERM 1
Date issued: ………………………………...
Due date: ……………………………………
SECTION A
1. C

2. C

3. C

4. B

5. A

6. C

7. C

8. B

9. D

10. C

11. B

12. B

13. C

14. B

15. B

16. C

17. B

18. A

19. C

20. A

21. A

22. B

23. C

24. B

25. A

26. D

27. C

28. B

29. D

30. A
 a. Briefly explain the use of acoustic materials in gas turbine engines [6 marks

Acoustic materials are specialized substances designed to control, absorb, or manipulate sound
waves, effectively reducing noise levels and enhancing sound quality in environments such as
studios, theaters, and recording spaces.
These materials work by converting sound energy into heat through a process called damping, and
are commonly made from porous, fibrous, or composite structures like foam, fiberglass, and
acoustic panels. Understanding the properties and applications of acoustic materials is essential for
optimizing acoustics in architectural design and noise pollution control.

The image above illustrates acoustic liners on a gas turbine engine.

Turbines, such as gas turbines or steam turbines, are often large and powerful machines that can
generate significant noise levels during operation. Therefore, turbine acoustic materials are used to
manufacture enclosures and liners which are used to mitigate the noise produced by turbines and
create a quieter working environment.
The primary purpose of these components is to reduce the noise generated by the turbine and
prevent it from propagating to the surrounding area. The ultimate goal is:
Sound Absorption: The interior surfaces of the enclosure are lined with sound-absorbing materials.
These materials help absorb and dampen the sound waves generated by the turbine. Common
sound-absorbing materials used in turbine enclosures include acoustic panels, foam, or mineral
wool. The absorption of sound energy helps reduce the noise levels inside the enclosure.
Sound Blocking: Turbine acoustic enclosures are constructed using sound-blocking materials to
prevent sound from escaping. These materials, such as mass-loaded vinyl, composite panels, or
heavy-duty steel, provide a barrier that reflects and blocks the transmission of sound waves. The
enclosure is designed to ensure that the noise generated by the turbine remains contained within
the enclosure, minimizing its impact on the surrounding area.
Ventilation and Cooling: Turbines require proper ventilation and cooling to maintain optimal
performance. Turbine acoustic enclosures incorporate specially designed ventilation systems that
balance the need for airflow with the requirement for noise control. Acoustic louvers, attenuators,
or silencers can be integrated into the ventilation openings to reduce noise while allowing adequate
airflow for cooling.
Structural Design: The structural design of the enclosure is crucial to ensure stability and minimize
the transmission of vibration and mechanical noise. The enclosure is constructed to be rigid and
resilient, capable of dampening and isolating vibrations produced by the turbine. This helps prevent
the propagation of mechanical noise and vibration to the surrounding environment.

b. Explain why high by-pass ratio engines are more silent than pure jet engines [7 marks]
high-bypass turbofan is a type of jet engine that sucks less air into the combustion chamber than that
of a low-bypass turbofan. It’s characterized by a high bypass ratio.
During flight, some of the air will enter the turbofan’s combustion chamber, and some of the air will
go around or “bypass” the turbofan’s combustion chamber. High-bypass turbofans allow less air to
enter the combustion chamber compared to low-bypass turbofans.
A pure jet is a turbojet without a bypass fan. In a pure jet all the thrust is provided by exhaust
High bypass turbojets are quieter than pure turbojets primarily due to the difference in their design
and the way they produce thrust.
Why high bypass engines are quieter
In a pure turbojet engine, the majority of the thrust is generated by the hot exhaust gases expelled
from the combustion chamber. These gases are produced by burning fuel with compressed air. The
high-velocity exhaust creates significant noise as it exits the engine at high speeds, resulting in a
loud jet noise commonly associated with jet engines.
On the other hand, high bypass turbofan engines, which are used in commercial airliners, have an
additional component called a fan. The fan is located at the front of the engine and is driven by the
turbine in the same way as the compressor. The fan draws in a large amount of air and accelerates
it, creating a separate stream of air that bypasses the combustion chamber. This bypass air provides
a significant portion of the engine’s thrust, while only a smaller portion is generated by the exhaust
gases produced by burning fuel.
The bypass air produces much less noise compared to the high-velocity exhaust gases of a pure
turbojet. The larger volume of air in the bypass stream helps to reduce the overall noise level. The
fan also acts as a noise-reducing device by shielding the core engine noise and reducing the jet
noise produced at the exhaust.
Additionally, the design of high bypass turbofan engines allows for slower exhaust velocities, which
further contributes to noise reduction. The slower-moving exhaust gases create less turbulence and
noise as they mix with the surrounding air.
Overall, the combination of the larger bypass air stream, the shielding effect of the fan, and the
slower exhaust velocities in high bypass turbofans significantly reduces noise compared to pure
turbojets. This makes high bypass turbofan engines more suitable for commercial aviation, where
noise reduction is an important consideration for minimizing environmental impact and meeting
noise regulations at airports.

c. Compare engine noise in the turboprop and the turboshaft engines [7 marks]
A turboshaft engine is a variant of a jet engine that has been optimized to produce shaft power to
drive machinery instead of producing thrust. Turboshaft engines are most commonly used in
applications that require a small, but powerful, light weight engine, inclusive of helicopters and
auxiliary power units.
The turboprop uses a gas turbine core to turn a propeller. As mentioned on a previous page,
propeller engines develop thrust by moving a large mass of air through a small change in velocity.
Propellers are very efficient and can use nearly any kind of engine to turn the prop (including
humans!). In the turboprop, a gas turbine core is used.
Noise in turbo prop vs turboshaft
Propeller Noise
Turboprops primarily generate thrust through a propeller, which can produce significant noise due
to the interaction of the blades with the air. This noise is often characterized by a distinct
"whooshing" sound, especially during takeoff and climb phases.

Approximately 95% of the thrust in a turboprop comes from the propeller, which inherently
contributes to its noise profile.
While turboprops do produce some jet thrust from the exhaust, this component is relatively small
(about 5%) and contributes less to the overall noise compared to the propeller
Helicopter Noise
Turboshaft engines are primarily used in helicopters, where the noise is influenced by the rotor
blades rather than a propeller. The interaction of rotor blades with the air generates a unique noise
signature, often described as a "thumping" or "chopping" sound.
The design of the turboshaft engine allows for a significant portion of the engine's power to be used
for rotor thrust, which can lead to different noise dynamics compared to turboprops
Similar to turboprops, turboshaft engines produce less jet noise because they are designed to
maximize power transfer to the rotor rather than producing thrust through exhaust. The exhaust
noise is typically lower due to the engine's operational design.

turboprop engines tend to produce more noise from the propeller, while turboshaft engines
generate noise primarily from rotor blades. Both types of engines have mechanisms to minimize jet
noise, but their operational contexts and design characteristics lead to distinct noise profiles.
Turboprops are generally noisier due to the propeller's contribution, while turboshaft engines have a
different noise signature influenced by rotor dynamics.
 REFERENCE
Aeropeep (2024) Why are high bypass Turbo Jets quieter than Pure Turbo Jets?, Aeropeep.
Available at: [Link]
(Accessed: 22 October 2024).
Hartzell Propeller Inc.: Aircraft and Airplane Propeller Systems (2024) Hartzell Propeller. Available
at: [Link] (Accessed: 22 October 2024).
Low vs high bypass turbofan engines: What’s the difference? (no date) Blog Monroe Aerospace.
Available at: [Link]
difference/?srsltid=AfmBOop9Z59ayKhtkfCqWD6p9vaU9BGXIfyaC-fJGNQZgcA_1ys5k4kA (Accessed:
22 October 2024).
Turbine Acoustic Enclosure Manufacturer in India: Ecotone (2024) Ecotone Systems Pvt. Ltd. |
Industrial Noise Control Products. Available at: [Link]
enclosure/#:~:text=These%20materials%20help%20absorb%20and,noise%20levels%20inside%20th
e%20enclosure. (Accessed: 22 October 2024).
Turboshaft engine (no date) Turboshaft Engine | SKYbrary Aviation Safety. Available at:
[Link] (Accessed: 22 October 2024).