Split Pipes and Smoke--Any Issues??
 

Hey,

I'm finishing up a Turn-Key finish-out for a Yellow F-15 customer. I've built the centerline tank into a wet tank (holds 33 oz.), and plumbed up the pump. It's a JetCat pump system. What I'm wondering as I'm doing this is whether or not anyone's had problems with the smoke oil harming the inside of the pipe? I've always thought the shiny, reflective SS interior is best kept shiny and reflective. Is the smoke oil burning up in there doing any harm?

RE: Split Pipes and Smoke--Any Issues??
 

I have always used the "Dri Smoke" in open and enclosed installs with zero problems. Do not use deisel, it may mess up the pipe. On a split pipe, use TWO smoke injectors to get even smoke from both pipes!

RE: Split Pipes and Smoke--Any Issues??
 

I've had no problems with mine. Avond's F-15 / Avonds pipe. Tam's smoke system.

It does put a small residue in there, but nothing apreciable in about 200 flights now with smoke. This last winter I cleaned it out, and found that there was next to no buildup, so I'm not worrying about it at all now.

I thought that in flight, it would make a more distinct 2 trails, but they mesh into each other within a foot or two behind the plane.

Lance

RE: Split Pipes and Smoke--Any Issues??
 

Hi,

Thanks, guys.

RE: Split Pipes and Smoke--Any Issues??
 

Hi Shawn, no aparent problems on my Rafale. I am also using a Tam jets smoke system.

Heres is a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ejjAouE6C4

Michel

RE: Split Pipes and Smoke--Any Issues??
 

Why will diesel mess up the pipe? From carbon buildup?

RE: Split Pipes and Smoke--Any Issues??
 

Diesel won't harm the pipe but will smut it more and it will not produce as dense a smoke as a paraffin oil will. if you're having a residue (a liquid film not just smut) left inside your pipe move the injector tube outlet in toward the exhaust stream a bit more, the residue is because of excessive oil flow (in this case add a second injection tube) or not a hot enough temp (moving it in closer to the jet blast as mentioned corrects this) to completely vaporize the oil, and a turbine EGT is defiantly well above the temp to do so.

as Lance stated, it's difficult to get two smoke trails much past the tail of the aircraft because of the jet blast from the two outlets being so close together. twin injectors does helps get better vaporization of the smoke oil (compared to the same amount of oil from a single tube) but it's hard to tell in flight a single from a double even on bifurcated pipes.

kc