Rolls-Royce, British Airways launch alternative fuel trial

Rolls-Royce and British Airways have started a scientific test programme to investigate the viability of alternative fuels for the aviation industry.

The in-depth study will seek to identify practical alternatives to the current industry-standard fuel kerosene, with the potential to make real reductions to the carbon footprint of aircraft.

The companies will initiate a joint tender process, inviting suppliers to offer alternative fuel samples for testing on a RollsRoyce RB211 engine from a British Airways Boeing 747.

The tests will be carried out on an indoor engine testbed at the Rolls-Royce facility in Derby, UK.

Testing the engine in this controlled environment enables more accurate data to be gathered than would be possible on an actual flight because additional instrumentation can be used and performance and emissions will not be affected by other external factors.

Following the tender process, there will be a selection of up to four alternative fuels, which will undergo laboratory testing before delivery to Rolls-Royce in the coming year. Each company will be asked to supply up to 60,000 litres of its alternative fuel.

This will be followed by intensive trials, during which the aero-engine will be powered by the alternative fuels and its performance compared to running on conventional kerosene. In each case, the engine will be operated through its full range of power settings including idle, acceleration, take-off and cruise.

Testing is expected to be complete by the end of next March, after which the results will be analysed and reported.