Wed, Feb 20, 2008
Successfully Operated On Fuel Blend During Phase I Ground
Tests
Pratt & Whitney
told attendees to this week's Singapore Air Show the company's
Geared Turbofan demonstrator engine successfully operated using an
alternative fuel blend during Phase I ground testing in West Palm
Beach, FL.
The enginemaker -- along with engineers from the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in a partnership under
the NASA Fundamental Aeronautics program -- completed the test
using a synthetic fuel blend as part of a program comparing
potential emissions benefits for future aircraft applications.
"The Geared Turbofan engine is setting new standards for
environmental performance and jet propulsion efficiency," said Bob
Saia, vice president, Next Generation Product Family, Pratt &
Whitney. "The successful demonstration of alternative fuels on our
Geared Turbofan engine validates the flexibility of this engine's
design to take advantage of multiple sources of fuel and leverage
the environmental and economic benefits available today."
The Geared Turbofan engine employs a state-of-the-art gear
system to allow the engine's fan to operate independent of the
low-pressure compressor and turbine, resulting in greater fuel
efficiency, lower emissions, and a slower fan speed for less noise.
As ANN reported, Phase I
testing on the powerplant wrapped up earlier this month, ahead of
schedule.
Pratt & Whitney
says it is "aggressively" researching and testing alternative fuels
for the aviation industry. In addition to the Geared Turbofan
demonstrator engine, the company has partnered with the US Air
Force to test and certify alternative fuels for the TF33-powered
B-52 aircraft and F117-powered C-17 transport. The C-17 recently
completed its first transcontinental flight operating entirely on a
blended synthetic fuel.
As part of Pratt & Whitney's overall alternative fuel
research, the company will conduct additional ground and flight
tests across a range of products. Current plans for testing this
year include commercial, military and business jet engines.
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