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The three-hour test flight, conducted on Tuesday (16 March) in Toulouse, France, was the first flight in a test programme aimed at assessing the emissions performance of SAFs.
All Airbus aircraft are certified to fly with up to 50% SAF mixed with kerosene. “The emissions performance of SAF when unblended with any type of fossil fuel has remained a question mark across the industry,” an Airbus announcement said.
The project is using a mixture made from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), which generally consists of globally sourced animal fat and used cooking oil. The feedstock for the Airbus flights is of European origin, and a spokesman told Professional Engineering the SAF was made with cooking oil.
The Airbus-led Emission and Climate Impact of Alternative Fuels project is in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, German aerospace research centre DLR and oil refining company Neste.
“SAF is one of the aviation industry’s best low-carbon solutions with an immediate impact on CO2 emissions today,” said Airbus programme manager Steven Le Moing. “This research project will help us to better understand the impact of unblended SAF on the full scope of aircraft emissions, while supporting SAF’s future certification for blends that exceed today’s maximum of 50%.”
Throughout the year, the project will test the emissions performance of 100% SAF on one engine of a Trent XWB-powered A350 test aircraft in the air and on the ground. It is the first in-flight study of its kind using a commercial passenger jet.
Ground tests will measure particulate emissions in local environments, while flight tests will assess the volume and consistency of contrails. A ‘chase’ aircraft flying 50m behind the A350 will use sensors to measure emissions including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, soot and aerosol particles.
The tests will compare the unblended SAF against standard kerosene and low-sulphur kerosene.
In terms of performance, flight test engineer Emiliano Requena Esteban said the first flight went “exceptionally well.” He added: “There’s no perceptible difference in engine behaviour between jet fuel and SAF. It's very exciting for me to contribute to a project that participates in the decarbonisation of our skies.”
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.