Pratt & Whitney Canada to investigate second-generation biofuels for smaller and medium size aero engines
(photo: Pratt & Whitney Canada)
Fri 18 July 2008 – Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is to lead an aerospace industry and university research project to investigate the potential for powering small and medium size engines by non-food competing second-generation biofuels, possibly derived from jatropha and algae sources.
The objectives for the four-year project include identifying and assessing appropriate biofuels, studying their effect on engine components such as combustors and fuel systems, developing appropriate technologies and design changes to accommodate them, and conducting tests comparing jet fuels with first-generation ethanol, as well as second-generation biofuels.
The venture is one of several initiatives announced recently by the governments of Canada and India under a joint research collaboration agreement in the field of science and technology. The Canadian portion is being funded through the International Science and Technology Partnerships Program.
P&WC is managing the project and dedicating resources at its research centres in Longueuil, Quebec and Mississauga, Ontario to look into engine components and material changes. Infotech Enterprises and two major Indian oil companies will share in the effort. McGill University, Laval University, Ryerson University and National Research Council Canada are also participating, along with the Indian Institute of Technology, Science and Petroleum.
“Our goal is to develop technologies for fuel flexible gas turbine engines, which can operate with a variety of biofuels and mixtures using the same hardware,” said Sam Sampath, P&WC’s Manager and Senior Fellow, Combustion Engineering and Emissions Control, who is leading the project.