Rolls-Royce recently announced the successful completion of a series of tests with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on its latest generation of business aviation engines, the Pearl 15 and Pearl 10X. The Pearl 15, the first member of the Pearl engine family, powers Bombardier’s Global 5500 and 6500 aircraft, while the Pearl 10X will power Dassault’s flagship ultra-long-range aircraft, the Falcon 10X.
The Pearls go to the SAF
Rolls-Royce recently announced the successful completion of a series of tests with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on its latest generation of business aviation engines, the Pearl 15 and Pearl 10X. The Pearl 15, the first member of the Pearl engine family, powers Bombardier’s Global 5500 and 6500 aircraft, while the Pearl 10X will power Dassault’s flagship ultra-long-range aircraft, the Falcon 10X.
The Pearl 10X for the Falcon 10X
The trials took place at Rolls-Royce’s business aviation headquarters in Dahlewitz, Germany, and are part of the company’s ongoing ambition to play a leading role in company aiming to achieve net zero flight by 2050. In addition to demonstrating compatibility with 100% SAF, another objective of the test campaign was to conduct an engine test with the Jet A-1 then the SAF on the same Pearl 10X engine. The objective was to confirm further improvements in the environmental footprint during the transition to SAF. The results of this first emissions test under standard certification conditions provide important correlations for the evaluation of future SAFs as part of the engine manufacturer’s environmental strategy.
Significantly lower levels of non-volatile particles
SAF HEFA (Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids) was produced from sustainable waste-based raw materials, such as used cooking oils and used fats. This fuel has the potential to significantly reduce net life-cycle CO2 emissions by approximately 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. Comparative tests carried out with conventional fossil fuel and then with SAF also confirmed cleaner combustion of the sustainable fuel, with significantly lower levels of non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM). In combination with the Pearl 10X’s low NOx combustion technology and its additively manufactured combustion tiles, a reduction in all emissions has been achieved.
100% SAF compatibility
Testing has demonstrated that the current range of Rolls-Royce engines for large civil and business aircraft can operate on 100% SAF, laying the foundation for certification of this fuel type. Currently, SAF is only certified for blends of up to 50% with conventional kerosene. By the end of 2023, Rolls-Royce will have proven that all of its Trent and business aviation engines in production are compatible with 100% SAF.
