Rolls-Royce on Oct. 18 introduced the profitable completion of a sequence of assessments with 100% sustainable aviation gas (SAF) on its newest technology of enterprise aviation engines, the Pearl 15 and the Pearl 10X. The Pearl 15, the primary member of the Pearl engine household, powers Bombardier’s World 5500 and 6500 plane, whereas the Pearl 10X will energy Dassault’s ultra-long-range flagship plane, the Falcon 10X.
The assessments befell at Rolls-Royce’s Enterprise Aviation headquarters in Dahlewitz, Germany, and are a part of the corporate’s ongoing ambition to play a number one function within the journey to realize web zero flight by 2050.
In addition to proving compatibility with 100% SAF one other goal of the take a look at marketing campaign was to run a back-to-back engine take a look at with each Jet A-1 and SAF on the identical Pearl 10X engine. The goal was to verify additional enhancements within the environmental footprint when switching to SAF. The outcomes from this primary back-to-back engine emission take a look at beneath customary certification situations gives vital correlations for the analysis of future SAF inside our environmental technique.
The HEFA (Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids) SAF was produced from waste-based sustainable feedstocks similar to used cooking oils and waste fats. This gas has the potential to considerably cut back web CO2 lifecycle emissions by about 80 p.c in comparison with typical jet gas.
The back-to-back assessments carried out with typical fossil-based gas and subsequently SAF additionally confirmed a cleaner combustion of the sustainable gas, with considerably decrease ranges of non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM). Together with the low NOx combustor know-how of the Pearl 10X and its additive manufactured combustor tiles a discount of all emissions was achieved.
The assessments demonstrated as soon as once more that Rolls-Royce’s present engine portfolio for giant civil and enterprise jet purposes can function with 100% SAF, laying the groundwork for transferring this sort of gas in direction of certification. At current, SAF is barely licensed for blends of as much as 50 p.c with typical jet gas. By the tip of 2023 Rolls-Royce can have confirmed that every one its in-production Trent and enterprise aviation engines are suitable with 100% SAF.
Dirk Geisinger, director enterprise aviation, Rolls-Royce, stated, “Sustainable Aviation Fuels are a key ingredient of our sustainability technique, as they are going to play an vital function in decarbonizing long-haul flight. With its excellent environmental efficiency, the Pearl household is already setting new requirements within the ultra-long-range company jet market.”
