WASHINGTON - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced plans to work with industry, academia, and others to work towards the aviation community's goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In that aim, NASA selected Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, Conn., as a partner to explore new propulsion technologies to reduce emissions in single-aisle aircraft.
Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies company, was tapped to participate in the Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) portion of the Sustainable Flight National Partnership (SFNP) with an eye on utilizing sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). The project includes developing and testing the fuel and air mixers for optimal efficiency and then measuring the emissions and noise emitted using Jet A fuel and high blends of SAF.
In October 2021, NASA awarded Pratt & Whitney two contracts under the HyTEC project to develop technologies for a high-pressure turbine that will include next generation ceramic matrix composites (CMC) materials capable of operating at higher temperatures than current CMCs, environmental barrier coatings, and advanced cooling and aerodynamic approaches that will enable new component designs and efficiencies.
In the first phase, Pratt & Whitney will utilize its recently opened ceramic matrix composites (CMC) center of excellence in Carlsbad, California, and collaborate with Raytheon Technologies Research Center on the project. The technologies targeted by HyTEC include next generation CMC materials capable of operating at higher temperatures than current CMCs, environmental barrier coatings, and advanced cooling and aerodynamic approaches that will enable new component designs and efficiencies. By increasing the thermal efficiency of the high-pressure turbine, these technologies will contribute to greater fuel efficiency in future gas turbine propulsion systems.
In the second phase of the HyTEC project, Pratt & Whitney plans to demonstrate a technology-infused core comprised of a high-pressure compressor, high-pressure turbine, and combustor leveraging successes from the first generation GTF core. This phase is planned for 2024 through 2027 and will provide critical learning and increased maturation of the core prior to the next program launch.
Pratt & Whitney say that collaboration between NASA and the company has already led to several key advances in sustainable propulsion technologies in recent decades, including low-pressure-ratio fans, low-emissions combustors, and high-performance hot section. These collaborations have a vital role to play towards developing and maturing technologies that will ultimately help make aviation more sustainable environmentally and economically.
"Aviation is moving toward a greener, cleaner future. Our partnership with NASA on HyTEC will allow Pratt & Whitney engineers to explore new technologies that will help make future aircraft propulsion systems even more sustainable," said Geoff Hunt, senior vice president, Engineering and Technology, at Pratt & Whitney. "The use of SAF blends is increasing today to 50% and will reach 100% within a few years. This is a key pathway to achieving the industry’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Our engine technology continues to improve in efficiency – flying further, with more power and on less fuel. This award helps Pratt & Whitney continue to ensure we develop advanced propulsion technologies that will be ready for the next-generation aircraft in the next decade."
