Rolls-Royce has become the latest engine manufacturer to launch trials of liquid hydrogen combustion and plans tests using several of its current powerplants in a project that could culminate in flights of a hydrogen-fueled Pearl 15 business jet engine. As an initial step, ground runs of an AE 2100 turboshaft fueled by liquid hydrogen will begin this year in the UK. This early phase will provide a good indication of hydrogen combustion and give clues about other areas RR needs to work on, according to Alan Newby, director aerospace technology and future programs. Previous research suggests modifications of the fuel injector to allow the engine to run on hydrogen, rather than a redesign of the whole combustion chamber. AE 2100 tests will be followed by ground runs of a Pearl 15 business jet engine conversion. That will be in two phases: (1) RR will demonstrate the hydrogen system can be separated from other non-combustion functions. (2) Afterwards, RR will run the engine on hydrogen. Several locations are under consideration for this part of the program, including Rolls-Royce’s test site at NASA’s Stennis Space facility in Mississippi. (Source: Flight Global 07/18/22) Rolls-Royce unveils hydrogen test programme using AE 2100 and Pearl 15 engines | News | Flight Global
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