Pratt & Whitney, a business unit of RTX, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), Aerodyne Research, Inc., and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has embarked on a significant research endeavor to study non-CO2 aviation emissions. This project aims to gain insights into these emissions and develop strategies to mitigate their environmental impact. As part of the FAA’s ASCENT program, the project will focus on measuring emissions from a Pratt & Whitney GTF engine combustor rig test stand using both conventional Jet A fuel and 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The project will compare emissions from conventional Jet A kerosene with those from SAF, specifically Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (HEFA-SPK). SAF is a biofuel derived from vegetable oils and animal fats and is supplied by World Energy. Dr. Philip Whitefield of Missouri University of Science and Technology emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, bringing together expertise from industry, government, and academia to address the environmental impacts of aviation emissions comprehensively.