Rolls-Royce tests 100% SAF on Pearl 700 business aviation engine

Rolls-Royce has tested 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on Pearl 700 business aviation engine for the first time.

The move is part of the company’s goal to operate reach net-zero carbon by 2050.

Pearl 700 is being developed at Rolls-Royce’s Center for Business Aviation Engines in Dahlewitz, Germany.

Pearl 700 combines the Advance2 engine core with a new low-pressure system, increasing the take-off thrust by 8% at 18,250lb compared to the BR725 engine.

Additionally, the engine offers a 12% improved thrust-to-weight ratio and 5% higher efficiency.

During testing, Rolls-Royce demonstrated that Pearl engines can operate with 100pc SAF as a full drop-in option.

Rolls-Royce Deutschland business aviation chief engineer and engineering director Dr Joerg Au said: “Sustainable aviation fuels have the potential to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of our engines and combining this potential with the extraordinary performance of our Pearl engine family brings us another important step closer to enabling our customers to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.”

For this test, Rolls Royce leveraged SAF that was produced by low-carbon fuel specialist World Energy in Paramount, California. It is sourced by Shell Aviation and delivered by SkyNRG.

Rolls-Royce conducted the test weeks after using unblended SAF for the first time in engine ground tests on a Trent 1000 engine in Derby, UK.

Currently certified only for blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel, SAF can be used on all current Rolls-Royce engines.