Rolls-Royce’s hydrogen research project achieves historic milestone

In a groundbreaking development, Rolls-Royce has achieved a remarkable milestone in its hydrogen research project, setting a world industry first. This endeavor represents a significant stride towards pioneering hydrogen combustion engine technology, capable of propelling various aircraft, including those in the narrow-body market segment, starting from the mid-2030s. Partnering with easyJet, Rolls-Royce has been relentless in its commitment to spearheading the aviation industry’s transition to hydrogen as a fuel source.

Collaborating with Loughborough University in the UK and the German Aerospace Centre Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt (DLR), Rolls-Royce has unveiled a pivotal engine technology breakthrough that brings us closer to making hydrogen a viable aviation fuel. The pivotal test involved a full annular combustor of a Pearl 700 engine at DLR in Cologne, powered entirely by hydrogen, and it demonstrated that hydrogen can be combusted under conditions that mimic maximum take-off thrust.

The heart of this achievement lies in the innovative design of advanced fuel spray nozzles, which control the combustion process. This engineering feat conquered substantial challenges, given that hydrogen burns significantly hotter and faster than traditional kerosene. The new nozzles successfully managed the flame position through a novel system that progressively mixed air with hydrogen to regulate the fuel’s reactivity. Importantly, both combustor operability and emissions met expectations, marking a significant triumph.

The initial testing of individual nozzles took place at Loughborough’s upgraded test facilities, followed by further trials at DLR Cologne. These tests paved the way for the conclusive full-pressure combustor trials at DLR Cologne. Notably, this success builds upon last year’s groundbreaking achievement when easyJet and Rolls-Royce collaborated to power a modern aero engine, the AE2100, with green hydrogen at Boscombe Down, UK.

These recent accomplishments signify a profound understanding of the combustion aspect of the hydrogen program, while ongoing efforts are dedicated to developing systems for delivering hydrogen to the engine and seamlessly integrating these systems.

According to an official company statement Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer at Rolls-Royce, expressed her enthusiasm for this remarkable feat, highlighting the significance of mastering the combustion process in realizing hydrogen’s potential as a future aviation fuel.

The technologies tested at Loughborough and DLR will now be integrated with the insights gained from the Boscombe Down tests, propelling Rolls-Royce and easyJet toward the next phase of testing—a full gas hydrogen ground test on a Pearl engine. This, in turn, will lead to a full ground test on a Pearl engine using liquid hydrogen, aligning with the shared ambition of both easyJet and Rolls-Royce to take this groundbreaking technology to the skies.

Rolls-Royce’s hydrogen research receives support from the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute HyEST program, Germany’s LUFO 6 WOTAN program, and the European Union’s Clean Aviation CAVENDISH program. Loughborough University is a partner in both HyEST and CAVENDISH, while DLR collaborates on WOTAN and CAVENDISH. easyJet has made strategic investments to bolster the development of hydrogen combustion engine technology for narrow-body aircraft.