Rolls-Royce has run a demonstrator engine specifically devoted to the optimisation of a new lean-burn and low-emissions combustion system for the first time. The system, which is being designed for future jet engine programmes,  ran for the first time housed within an adapted Trent 1000 engine.

The ALECSys (Advanced Low Emissions Combustion System) demonstrator successfully ran for the first time on a testbed in Derby, UK. Technology from the system features in both the Advance3 and UltraFan demonstrator programmes.

The company explains that the lean-burn system improves the pre-mixing of fuel and air prior to ignition – delivering a more complete combustion of the fuel and, as a result, lower NOx and particulate emissions, both of which are increasingly important to airline customers in terms of operating economics and environmental performance.

The development of the system received funding from the European Union’s Clean Sky SAGE (Sustainable And Green Engine) programme.

According to the engine-maker, the lean-burn system will play an important role in delivering the IntelligentEngine.

The first run of ALECSys is the latest in a series of Rolls-Royce technology milestones, including testing of the UltraFan power gearbox at 70,000hp in September; and the first run of the Advance3 test engine, incorporating the same core architecture that will be used in UltraFan, in November.