Airbus and Rolls-Royce SAF feasibility study shows early signs of promise

A feasibility study into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) conducted by aerospace companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, German research centre DLR and oil company Neste has shown early signs of promise, potentially paving the way for low-emission flight.

The test saw an Airbus A350 aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines - both of which contained SAF - successfully flights, marking the second time in the past few months a Trent engine has been at the centre of a sustainable fuel trial.

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In-flight emissions tests were conducted earlier this year and recently resumed, having been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Back in April, the A350 completed three flights over the Mediterranean pursued by a DLR Falcon chaser plane to compare in-flight emissions with other SAF blends.

This chaser is equipped with multiple probes to measure emissions at cruise level and flies within 100 metres of the aircraft.

Tests using different blends resumes in early November and the team have reported no operating difficulties and reported SAF releases fewer particulates than traditional kerosene, meaning the blends stand to not only reduce emissions, but also air pollution - something that has become a hot topic with the coronavirus pandemic.

An interdisciplinary team consisting of researchers from the National Research Council of Canada and The University of Manchester plans to publish its results in academic journals towards the end of next year and 2023.

“Engines and fuel systems can be tested on the ground but the only way to gather the full set of emissions data necessary for this programme to be successful is to fly an aircraft in real conditions", said Steven Le Moing, the director for New Energy at Airbus.

“In-flight testing of the A350 offers the advantage of characterising direct and indirect engine emissions,  including particulates from behind an aircraft at high altitude", he added.

The aviation sector is currently facing mounting pressure to switch away from fossil fuels, although most aircraft are currently only certified to fly on 50% SAF, although key players state adoption of 100% sustainable fuel is the key to decarbonising the sector.

Rolls-Royce has also previously claimed it could operate Trent engines on 100% SAF as early as 2023.

While deadlines for net-zero differ company-to-company, current trends place the switch between 2040 and 2060. The US recently pledged to decarbonise its aviation sector by 2050, putting its goals in a similar ballpark to other major economies.

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“This research adds to tests we’ve already carried out on our engines, both on the ground and in the air, which have found no engineering obstacle to our engines running on 100% SAF", said Simon Burr, the director for product development and technology at Rolls-Royce's Civil Aerospace division.

"If we are to truly decarbonise long-haul air travel, then 100% SAF is a critical element and we are committed to supporting its certification for service.”

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