Overview of a Turbofan Jet Engine Facility for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Testing

The aviation industry accounts for 2 to 3% of global carbon emissions, contributing 9 to 12% of the total greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. transportation. As other sectors advance in decarbonization, aviation's share of global emissions is expected to grow, highlighting the critical need to reduce its carbon footprint. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) have become a promising solution for cutting carbon emissions from aircraft engines, potentially reducing lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. However, SAFs are currently limited to substituting a maximum of 50% Jet-A fuel due to compatibility and safety issues despite significant efforts by the National Jet Fuel Combustion Program. Therefore, research is essential to achieve 100% SAF usage in aero-engines. This study presents an overview of a new facility designed for testing SAFs in a turbofan engine. The facility’s capabilities for measuring engine performance and pollutant emissions are highlighted. Results from engine tests using two different fuels — a commercially available SAF blend and conventional Jet-A — are discussed and analyzed. Various throttle conditions are examined to assess how gaseous pollutant emissions and engine performance vary with different fuels under a range of operating conditions. The findings suggest a reduction in SO2 generation of at least 30% across all flight conditions. The findings from this research provide valuable insights into the environmental impacts of SAF usage, thereby aiding in the development of new sustainable fuels.