Enginemaker Pratt & Whitney Canada will test hydrogen combustion technology on a PW127XT turboprop engine, starting with fuel nozzle and combustor rig tests using hydrogen fuel, before proceeding to full engine ground testing. Pratt & Whitney hydrogen combustion demonstration The demonstration is part of a project called Hydrogen Advanced Design Engine Study (HyADES), together with Canadian clean hydrogen firm Next Hydrogen Solutions and supported by Canada's Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT). With hydrogen-fuelled aircraft becoming closer to reality by the year, the industry will need a reliable source of clean hydrogen at scale, whether as a direct fuel or as feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Edward Hoskin, Vice President of Engineering, Pratt & Whitney Canada, commented, "While regional aviation represents one of the most promising use cases for hydrogen, the project will also demonstrate the versality of adapting the proven, highly efficient PW127XT turboprop engine to operate with low carbon alternative fuels and continues our legacy of technology leadership in this segment." The first phase of the HyADES project will involve fuel nozzle and combustor rig testing with hydrogen fuel, with full ground tests to happen at a later date. Next Hydrogen Solutions was established in 2007 and manufactures water electrolyzers that are used to produce hydrogen - the company's unique cell design architecture is supported by 40 patents and will allow .