Rolls-Roycehas successfully completed the compatibility tests of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for all types of civil aircraft engines in production.
In the statement made by the company on this subject, the following was stated: “This success has fulfilled the commitment made in 2021 by showing that there are no engine technology obstacles to the use of SAF. The testing program was completed with ground testing of the BR710 business jet engine at the company’s facility in Canada. Other engines tested under the program included Trent 700, Trent 800, Trent 900, Trent 1000, Trent XWB-84, Trent XWB-97, Trent 7000, BR725, Pearl 700, Pearl 15 and Pearl 10X. During the testing process, a series of ground and flight tests were carried out that accurately reflected the operating conditions. All tests confirmed that the use of 100% SAF does not adversely affect engine performance.”
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Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç said the following on the subject: “We are pleased to be the first jet engine manufacturer to publicly demonstrate that all long-range aircraft and business jet engines in production are 100% SAF compliant. This achievement is a significant milestone for both Rolls-Royce and the entire aviation industry. “As a company, it proves our commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and shows that we continue to support our customers towards the same goal.”
Simon Burr, Rolls-Royce’s Engineering, Technology and Safety Group Director, said: “This milestone is a very important milestone not only for Rolls-Royce, but also for the aviation industry. We are confident that the success achieved with these tests will provide a level of technical validation that will support those who want to invest in 100% SAF production in the future.”
UK Transport Minister Mark Harper said: “This journey to decarbonise flying around the world is powered by British innovation and supported by the UK government. “Today’s announcement is a demonstration that Rolls Royce and the UK are global leaders in decarbonising transport, taking us one step closer to Net Zero.”
Other information given on the subject was as follows: “In addition to proving the compatibility of all engine types in production, Rolls-Royce has also confirmed that the next-generation UltraFan engine demonstrator has the same feature. The first engine test, carried out earlier this year, was carried out with 100% SAF.
The Rolls-Royce SAF adventure will continue later this month when Trent 1000 engines power the Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Flight 100, the world’s first 100% SAF transatlantic flight.
The consortium, led by Virgin Atlantic and supported by the UK Department for Transport, will include Boeing, the University of Sheffield, Imperial College London and the Rocky Mountain Institute. The return flight on normal jet fuel will prove that the engine and aircraft can operate on both types of fuel without the need for engineering changes.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel has great potential to support aviation’s energy transformation journey as a substitute fuel that can be used as an alternative to conventional fuel.
Considering the SAF life cycle, IATA (International Air Transport Association) estimates that the net CO2 life cycle emissions of unblended SAFs are up to 80% lower than conventional fuel.
To achieve Net Zero flight by 2050, Rolls-Royce estimates that a combination of high-efficiency next-generation gas turbines operating at 100% SAF will contribute up to approximately 80% of the targeted total solution.
ASTM International, the international standards body for jet fuel, currently allows blends of up to 50% SAF with 50% conventional jet fuel. All of Rolls-Royce’s civil aircraft engines in production are currently certified to run on a 50% SAF blend. Successful 100% SAF tests will provide further support for the path to commercial flights with 100% SAF. “