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Rolls-Royce has completed capability testing on the use of 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on all of its in-production engine lines, the engine maker said Monday during the Dubai Airshow. The final test involved the BR710 business jet engine at its facility in Canada, following the completion of trials on the BR725 and the entire in-production Trent and Pearl lines.
The demonstrations, which involved a range of ground and flight tests to replicate in-service conditions, confirmed that the use of 100 percent SAF does not affect engine performance.
Rolls-Royce said the trials fulfill a commitment that it made in 2021 to demonstrate the ability to use 100 percent SAF in its product lines, at least from an engine technology standpoint.
“This is an important milestone, not just for Rolls-Royce, but also for the wider civil aerospace industry,” said Simon Burr, group director of engineering, technology, and safety for Rolls-Royce. “We hope the success of these tests provides a level of technical validation that supports those who seek to invest in the production of 100 percent SAF going forward.”
Along with the in-production line, Rolls-Royce had also ensured 100 percent SAF capability of its new-generation UltraFan engine demonstrator, the company also said. Testing began earlier this year with power gradually increasing. The demonstrator has now run on maximum power using 100 percent SAF. Rolls-Royce said the demonstrator performed in line with its expectations and provided “valuable learning and data, which our teams will now take away and continue to analyze.” It conducted the testing at the Rolls-Royce facility in Derby, UK.
Working with industry partners, Rolls-Royce is building on such tests with a demonstration transatlantic flight of a Trent 1000-powered Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner on 100 percent SAF.
Flight 100 represents a Virgin Atlantic-led consortium sponsored by the UK Department for Transport and also includes Boeing, the University of Sheffield, Imperial College London, and Rocky Mountain Institute. A return flight will be on jet-A fuel to prove the engine and aircraft can run on either.
Industry leaders view SAF as an important component toward the goal of achieving net zero by 2050.