Pratt & Whitney and Air bp are to partner on testing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blends at up to 100%.
Under an agreement, the two companies will work collaboratively to explore the viable supply to Pratt & Whitney of SAF blends with up to 100% for engine and propulsion systems testing until 2024. In addition, the two companies aim to collaborate on researching the performance of 100% SAF in propulsion systems to provide insights and data into fuel performance and emissions reductions.
Graham Webb, chief sustainability officer at Pratt & Whitney said, “The commercial aviation industry must use multiple approaches when it comes to addressing the challenges of sustainable aviation. One immediate opportunity is to radically reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while we continue to improve engine efficiency.
“Neat SAF from a major integrated energy company that is highly focused on SAF initiatives enables the evaluation, testing and validation needed to ensure that our engines are fully capable of operating with 100 percent SAF.”
Andreea Moyes, sustainability director at Air bp said, “We are delighted to work with Pratt & Whitney to test SAF in US engine testing facilities. As we continue to develop new technologies and feedstocks, some of which may be unique to US availability, it will be very useful for both companies to collaborate on testing and understanding fuel performance and, on working on increasing SAF utilization in engines up to 100%.”
Pratt & Whitney has been actively involved in SAF testing and certification for over a decade and helped regulatory authorities establish the standards which today allow SAF to be used as drop-in fuel, blended up to 50% with conventional kerosene fuel.
Pratt & Whitney is working towards validating that its engines can operate with 100% SAF, and the company is working with the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) and ASTM International towards that goal.
