Pratt &Whitney Canada and partners India for biofuel research project

Farnborough: United Technologies company Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) has partnered with an Indian Institute of Technology to lead a ground-breaking aerospace industry-university research effort to investigate the potential use of biofuels for small and medium-size engine applications.

The alternative fuel project aims to use "second generation" biofuels that originate from sources that do not compete with human food sources, and could include jatropha and algae derived biofuels, as well as biobutanol to power aircraft engines. The project 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.

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 current jet fuels with first generation ethanol, as well as second generation biofuels.

P&WC is managing the project and is dedicating resources at its research centres in Longueuil, Quebec and Mississauga, Ontario to look into engine components and materials changes.

Infotech Enterprises Ltd. and two major Indian oil companies will share in this effort.

Four Canadian institutions, McGill University, Laval University, Ryerson University and National Research Council Canada are also participating, along with an Indian Institute of Technology. The Canadian portion is being funded through the International Science and Technology Partnerships Program.

"Already a leader in green technologies for small aviation engines, we aim to have a fuel-flexible engine and to develop technologies that will allow us to offer aircraft manufacturers innovative and green power solutions," said Walter Di Bartolomeo, vice president - engineering, P&WC.

P&WC has previously undertaken extensive research into alternative jet fuel blends using shale and tar sand oil derived products, as well as hydrogen.

"We are very pleased about launching this study of biofuels for small aircraft engines," said Sam Sampath, manager and senior fellow, combustion engineering and emissions control, P&WC, who is leading the research project. "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."

Longueuil, Quebec based Pratt & Whitney Canada is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines powering business, general aviation and regional aircraft and helicopters. It also manufactures auxiliary power units and industrial gas turbines.