In the UK, Loughborough University said that a Rolls-Royce hydrogen research project has made progress towards sustainable aviation.
Working with Loughborough’s National Center for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology (NCCAT) and the German Aerospace Centre Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt (DLR), Rolls-Royce has proven a critical engine technology that marks a significant step in the journey to enabling hydrogen as an aviation fuel.
Tests on a full annular combustor of a Pearl 700 engine at DLR in Cologne running on 100% hydrogen have proven the fuel can be combusted at conditions that represent maximum take-off thrust, the university said.
Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology at Rolls-Royce, said: “This is an incredible achievement in a short space of time. Controlling the combustion process is one of the key technology challenges the industry faces in making hydrogen a real aviation fuel of the future. We have achieved that, and it makes us eager to keep moving forward. I want to thank easyJet, Loughborough University and DLR for their dedication and support to reach this milestone.”
Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Loughborough University, said: “In conjunction with its partners, Loughborough’s National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology is delighted to have supported the landmark testing and development of advanced aerospace fuel spray nozzles utilizing hydrogen fuel. This is a major advance towards net zero aviation.”
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