Wed, May 26, 2010
Company Says Its Mufflers Do Not Require Replacement
The FAA published a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin
(SAIB) regarding engine exhaust systems on May 7, 2010, following
research that focuses on carbon monoxide (CO) safety issues as they
apply to general aviation products.
They found that in accidents related to CO poisoning, the
muffler system was the top source of CO leakage. Accordingly, the
FAA recommended the replacement of the mufflers on airplanes
powered by reciprocating engines with more than 1,000 hours on the
muffler. This recommendation is not mandatory and only N-registered
airplanes are affected.
In a news release, Centurion says that its engines are not
affected by this recommendation. It notes that reciprocating
engines with a diesel combustion process produce very small amounts
of Carbon Monoxide, because the combustion runs always lean.
Centurion says it has notified the FAA, which will include a note
concerning diesel engines with the next revision of the SAIB.
The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) initiated a
research program in 2007 with a focus on aircraft engines
emissions, and measured emissions for several reciprocating
aircraft engine types, including Centurion aircraft engines (TC
number TAE-125). They found out that a Lycoming O-360, for example,
is producing 6,743 g/kg of CO per hour at cruise power, while the
Centurion engine only produces 91 g/kg of CO per hour, or less than
1.5 percent of the gasoline engine.
In addition, Centurion says the heating system of its
installations uses a heat exchanger from the liquid cooling system
to heat fresh air. The exhaust system is not used, so the risk of
CO entering the cabin is very low. Centurion says that, in its
experience with exhaust pipes and mufflers in Centurion
installations, since most parts are made from non-corrosive
materials they do not show any severe corrosion after 1,000
hours.
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