Home
Home Careers Contact FAQFrançais
CUSTOMER FIRST CENTRE (US & Canada) 1 800 268-8000 (International) +8000-268-8000

Search form

  • Engines
  • Service & Support
  • News & Events
  • About P&WC
Events
Press Releases
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Media centre
Home

News & Events

If you would like to receive an e-mail alert when news releases are posted, or receive news releases by e-mail please click here to subscribe.

Pratt & Whitney Canada Leads Groundbreaking Biofuels Research Project

Jul 13, 2008 - 06:00 AM

FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwire - July 13, 2008) - Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is leading a groundbreaking aerospace industry-university research effort to investigate the potential use of biofuels for small and medium size engine applications. P&WC is a United Technologies (NYSE:UTX) company.

P&WC is evaluating the feasibility of using "second generation" biofuels that originate from sources that do not compete with human food sources. These could include jatropha and algae derived biofuels, as well as biobutanol to power aircraft engines.

"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."

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

The alternative fuel 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. 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 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 the Indian Institute of Technology, Science and Petroleum.

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."

Pratt & Whitney Canada, based in Longueuil, Quebec, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines powering business, general aviation and regional aircraft and helicopters. The company also manufactures auxiliary power units and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., USA, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.



Pratt & Whitney Canada
Jean-Daniel Hamelin
450-647-7391
jean-daniel.hamelin@pwc.ca
or
Pratt & Whitney Canada
Nancy German
Int'l Mobile: 1-514-924-4445
nancy.german@pwc.ca
www.pwc.ca
AccessibilityFeedbackSite mapPrivacyLegal
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
PT6-50th