Capabilities in sustainable aviation
SAF characterisation
New aviation fuels must go through rigorous assessment before they can be brought to market. Our SAF laboratory is one of the best facilities in the UK to carry out these tests to recognised global standards including ASTM.
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SAF combustion
Our rigorous performance and emission testing enables fuel producers and users to assess the characteristics of SAF during and after combustion.
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SAF and Power-to-Liquid (PtL) production
Our site is capable of producing two innovative types of SAF - Power to Liquid (PtL) and Biomass to Liquid (BtL) - using renewable energy sources which help reduce the dependency on fossil fuels in aviation.
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Non-CO2 emissions and contrails
Our research focuses on how SAF affects non-CO₂ emissions like nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), particulate matter (PM), sulphur compounds and water vapour. These emissions influence contrail formation and contribute to aviation's broader climate and air quality impacts.
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Facilities and equipment
- Aviation
Shock tube
A unique high pressure (up to 100 bar) single pulse...
- Aviation
Power-to-Liquid pilot plant with Fischer-Tropsch and Reverse Water Gas Shift (RWGS)
The plant can produce hundreds of litres of fuel a...
- Renewables and smart energy systems
Micro CHP
It can operate on a broad spectrum of fuels, from...
- Hydrogen
Multi-parameter fuel cell test station
It can be also used to investigate the effect of...
- Aviation
- Modelling and simulation
Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES)
This can also be used with digested ash samples from...
- Aviation
- Modelling and simulation
High-resolution ELPI measurement instrument
Wide particle size range 6 nm – 10 µm with...
- Modelling and simulation
Emissions monitoring facilities
Entrained metal aerosols: Use of a unique continuous online inductively...
- Aviation
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)
A major application for this unit is to compare characteristics...
- Aviation
2-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) with TOF mass spectrometry and FID
GC×GC TOFMS (comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry)...
- Aviation
- Hydrogen
- Power and industrial decarbonisation
Advanced Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC)
30kW output power Up to 90% CO2 capture Heavily instrumented...
- Modelling and simulation
Analytical and measurement laboratory capabilities
Signal stack gas analyser system (O2, CO2, CO, NOx, THC)...
- Aviation
Aviation fuels testing capabilities
Let's work together
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Sheffield Business Park
Europa Avenue
S9 1ZA