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Emirates has successfully completed ground engine testing of one of its GE90 engines on a Boeing 777-300ER using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The purpose of ground testing and analysis is to demonstrate that the GE90 engine can operate on a special blend of 100% SAF without affecting its performance, without requiring modifications to aircraft systems, or requiring special maintenance on the Boeing 777-300ER or Boeing 777-300ER Procedure GE90 Engine running. SAF reduces carbon emissions by up to 80% over the fuel life cycle.
The ground test results will now pave the way for the airline’s first experimental test flight using 100% SAF in one engine, which will take off this week. The test campaign involved running one engine on 100% SAF and another engine on conventional jet fuel to better analyze fuel system behavior and performance with each fuel type, compare the specific output of each engine, and ensure that the aircraft The seamless operation of the engine and airframe fuel system during the planned test flight.
During ground testing at the state-of-the-art Emirates Engineering Center in Dubai, the aircraft first underwent standard pre-screening activities. Afterwards, stationary running testing begins with a Honeywell 331-500 auxiliary power unit (APU) running at 100% SAF. The APU then starts the engine at full load under the action of the SAF.
The left engine was run at its full power range, using the same settings as for the test flight. This includes idle, “takeoff” and “climb settings” operating at maximum speed and intensity for the duration of the full flight profile. The engine is then run for 15 minutes at the “cruise” setting. After the simulation, the engine was cooled down. Fuel is segregated in separate fuel tanks to keep test fuel segregated. After ground testing is complete, download engine data for review, comparison and analysis.
At the 2021 Dubai Airshow, Emirates, GE Aerospace and Boeing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a plan to use the 100 on the Emirates 777-300ER powered by GE90 engines. % SAF for a test flight.
Throughout 2022, Emirates has been working with its partners GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honeywell, Neste and Virent Inc. (a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corp) on SAF blend testing. The partners developed a blend with the same quality and performance characteristics as conventional jet fuel and collaborated on technical analysis and operational requirements surrounding ground testing and experimental flight activities.
The results of this program will provide additional data and research on synthetic fuel blend components and biofuels, supporting the standardization and future approval of 100% direct use of SAF. Following successful trials with one engine, Emirates will continue to develop these programs with the engine airframe manufacturer and SAF supplier to validate the commercial use of these blends. Currently, SAF is approved for use in up to 50% blends with conventional jet fuel.
Emirates has long supported industry and government efforts to encourage the growth of the SAF industry and regularly participates in initiatives that contribute to SAF deployment. Its first flight powered by a jet-mixed SAF was in 2017, operated by a Boeing 777 from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
Emirates took delivery of its first SAF-powered A380 in December 2020, and earlier that year added 32 tonnes of SAF to flights from Stockholm, supported by Swedavia’s biofuel incentive scheme. Flights from Oslo have also started using SAF.
Emirates is a member of the Steering Committee of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) ‘Clean Skies Tomorrow’ initiative, which promotes the global deployment of SAF. The airline also contributed to the UAE government’s work on the SAF roadmap and the WEF-supported UAE power-to-liquids roadmap. – trade arab news agency
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