Rolls-Royce conducts first tests of 100% SAF for use in business jets
Rolls-Royce conducted the first tests of 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in a business jet engine.
This is part of the company’s ongoing ambition to play a leading role in enabling the sectors reach net zero carbon by 2050.
The tests on its latest business aviation engine in development, the Pearl 700, in Dahlewitz, Germany, came just weeks after unblended SAF was successfully used for the first time in engine ground tests on a Trent 1000 engine in Derby, UK.
This test demonstrated that current engines for large civil and business jet applications could operate with 100% SAF as a full “drop-in” option.
The SAF that was used in the tests was produced by low-carbon fuel specialist World Energy in Paramount, California, sourced by Shell Aviation and delivered by SkyNRG.
This unblended fuel has the potential to reduce net CO2 lifecycle emissions by more than 75% compared to conventional jet fuel, with the possibility of further reductions in future.
Dr Joerg Au, chief engineer – business aviation and engineering director Rolls-Royce Deutschland, said: “Sustainable aviation fuels have the potential to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of our engines and combining this potential with the extraordinary performance of our Pearl engine family brings us another important step closer to enabling our customers to achieve net zero carbon emissions.”
The Pearl 700 combines the Advance2 engine core, the most efficient core available across the business aviation sector, with a brand-new low-pressure system, resulting in an 8% increase in take-off thrust at 18,250lb compared to the BR725 engine.
This is part of the company’s ongoing ambition to play a leading role in enabling the sectors reach net zero carbon by 2050.
The tests on its latest business aviation engine in development, the Pearl 700, in Dahlewitz, Germany, came just weeks after unblended SAF was successfully used for the first time in engine ground tests on a Trent 1000 engine in Derby, UK.
This test demonstrated that current engines for large civil and business jet applications could operate with 100% SAF as a full “drop-in” option.
The SAF that was used in the tests was produced by low-carbon fuel specialist World Energy in Paramount, California, sourced by Shell Aviation and delivered by SkyNRG.
This unblended fuel has the potential to reduce net CO2 lifecycle emissions by more than 75% compared to conventional jet fuel, with the possibility of further reductions in future.
Dr Joerg Au, chief engineer – business aviation and engineering director Rolls-Royce Deutschland, said: “Sustainable aviation fuels have the potential to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of our engines and combining this potential with the extraordinary performance of our Pearl engine family brings us another important step closer to enabling our customers to achieve net zero carbon emissions.”
The Pearl 700 combines the Advance2 engine core, the most efficient core available across the business aviation sector, with a brand-new low-pressure system, resulting in an 8% increase in take-off thrust at 18,250lb compared to the BR725 engine.
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