Rolls-Royce has successfully completed the first tests of its UltraFan technology demonstrator at its Derby, UK facility, which were conducted using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The new design is seen as a key to driving the stability of aircraft operations, as the new Ultrafan engines offer a 10% improvement in efficiency over the current generation of Trent engines.
The UltraFan features carbon titanium blades in a composite housing, as well as an innovative gear design capable of generating a record 64 MW of power.
Testing was carried out in Testbed 80, billed as the world’s largest and most intelligent indoor aero-engine test facility; While Air bp provided 100% SAF, which is derived from sustainable waste-based raw materials such as used cooking oil.
The demonstrator’s testing is the culmination of many years’ work, supported by the UK Government through the Aerospace Institute of Technology (ATI), Innovate UK; Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO of Rolls-Royce, said the European Union’s Clean Skies Program plus Lufo and the state of Brandenburg in Germany.
The ultimate goal of the project is to power the next generations of narrow- and wide-body aircraft, although Rolls-Royce emphasized that some elements of the UltraFan technology could be adopted on existing models in the near future.
Key engineering features of the demonstrator include a new proven Advanced3 Core architecture, combined with the Eleusis lean-burn combustion system to deliver maximum fuel efficiency and low emissions; Titanium carbon fan blades and composite housing; A geared design that provides efficient power for the high-thrust, high-bypass-ratio engines of the future.
The UltraFan program has also received public support from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), a British public organization dedicated to promoting technological innovation and sustainability in the aviation industry, as well as through the EU and state clean skies program Innovate UK. Brandenburg in Germany, where Rolls-Royce also has an industrial site, according to information from Actualidadaaeeroespacial and Aerotime.
