Alongside our continual drive towards ever greater engine efficiency, Pratt & Whitney is advancing the use of Synthetic Aviation Fuels (SAF), while also developing novel technologies to support alternative fuels like hydrogen.
Ready for synthetic aviation fuels (SAF)
All Pratt & Whitney engines are ready to operate with SAF at blends of up to 50% with Standard Jet A Kerosene. We have been actively involved in SAF testing and certification for decades and helped regulators define the technical standards that enable multiple different SAF blends to be used today.
Pratt & Whitney continues to collaborate with industry partners to enable the use of future ASTM specifications for 100% SAF.
Innovating hydrogen-fueled propulsion technology
HySIITE
Pratt & Whitney's Hydrogen Steam Injected, Inter‐Cooled Turbine Engine (HySIITE) concept is designed to take full advantage of the cryogenic properties of liquid hydrogen fuel, using water vapor recovery and steam injection technology to enable up to a 35% improved energy efficiency, compared to a current state-of-the-art single aisle propulsion system. As part of a project supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E program, rig tests conducted by Pratt & Whitney demonstrated the potential to reduce NOx by up to 99.3% and capture one gallon of water every three seconds from the engine exhaust.
HyADES
Pratt & Whitney Canada is developing hydrogen combustion technology as part of the Hydrogen Advanced Design Engine Study (HyADES) project, supported by Canada Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology. Targeting tests on a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT regional turboprop engine, HyADES will demonstrate the versality of adapting the proven and highly efficient turboprop technology to operate with low alternative fuels like hydrogen.