Rolls-Royce has hailed a “world industry first” after demonstrating hydrogen can be combusted at conditions that represent maximum take-off thrust.
Working alongside easyJet, Rolls-Royce has been striving to be at the forefront of the development of hydrogen combustion engine technology and has now taken a significant step towards net zero aviation. With help from Loughborough University and the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt (DLR), tests of a Pearl 700 engine running on 100% hydrogen have been successful.
This has been made possible through the design of advanced spray nozzles which are able to control the combustion process. These have been key in overcoming the engineering challenges of hydrogen burning hotter and quicker than kerosene. The nozzles allow for the flame position to be controlled, with a new system used that sees air mixed progressively with hydrogen, helping to manage its reactivity.
Moving forwards, Rolls-Royce and easyJet have set their sights on carrying out a full gas hydrogen ground test on a Pearl engine. This will then pave the way for a full ground test on a Pearl engine using liquid hydrogen to be carried out.
Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer 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.”
