Rolls-Royce starts hydrogen research tests

British engine maker Rolls-Royce announced it has started a new set of ground-breaking hydrogen research tests.

Both Rolls-Royce and its partner easyJet are committed to being at the forefront of the development of hydrogen combustion engine technology capable of powering a range of aircraft, including those in the narrowbody market segment, from the mid-2030s onwards.

The latest set of tests, to prove aerospace cryogenic liquid hydrogen pump systems, have begun at Rolls-Royce’s facility at Solihull, UK.

These will address a key engineering challenge of taking low-pressure liquid hydrogen, chilled below -250 degrees C, and pressurising it so that it can then be pumped into an engine to be combusted.

Rolls-Royce has identified three technology challenges in the journey to enabling hydrogen for use in aviation: fuel combustion, fuel delivery and fuel systems integration with an engine. All elements must be confirmed to operate safely.

In September, Rolls-Royce set a world first when tests on a full annular combustor of a Pearl 700 engine at DLR in Cologne running on 100 per cent hydrogen proved the fuel can be combusted at conditions that represent maximum take-off thrust.

The Solihull tests now mark the start of understanding the fuel delivery element. Initial tests have focused on chilling the pump and understanding its behaviour at cryogenic conditions. Further testing will resume early next year.

Last year, easyJet and Rolls-Royce also set a world first by successfully running a modern aero engine, an AE2100, on 100 per cent green hydrogen at Boscombe Down, UK.

The test programme supports a longer-term goal for Rolls-Royce and easyJet – a full gas hydrogen ground test on a Pearl engine.

That will in turn lead to a full ground test on a Pearl engine using liquid hydrogen – both easyJet and Rolls-Royce have a shared ambition to then take the technology to flight.

The pump research tests receive financial support through the UK Government’s Aerospace Technology Institute, while the broader hydrogen test programme receives funding from easyJet.