TDL Blower Engine

This small 'low cost' gas turbine engine was developed to replace existing diesel engine driven blowers for Bulk Powder Tankers. The primary advantage was a weight saving of 500 Kg over conventional blowers, thereby offering increased payload. Selling price was also competitive as well. The other advantages are: simple operation, smooth pulse free air supply, clean 'oil free' air, no liquid cooling system required, impossible to 'over pressure' system, no vibration, low maintenance and low noise levels.

The engine design is based on the use of turbocharger compressor and turbine wheels, which form the core of our own design of turbine engine. Air is bled from the engine compressor for blowing. Starting is by compressed air held in supplementary reservoirs, which are connected to the truck braking system for air supply. The electrics for oil and fuel pump operation are also taken from the truck. The fuel used is diesel.

The above photograph shows the engine installed in the nose cone of a bulk powder tanker. Top left is the first demonstration of the free standing prototype engine connected to a cement tanker. The middle photograph is the engine packaged for mobile demonstrations. The bottom photograph shows the air intake/access door to the cement blower engine installation. Over 2000 blowing operations were proven during the field trial period with this installation, with an average blowing rate of one tonne per minute on cement.