Rolls-Royce Tests New Technology to Protect Jet Engines from Sand Damage

Himasha Dissanayake, JadeTimes Staff

H. Dissanayake is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology

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Source: Matthew Barlow

The Trent XWB-97 engine from Rolls-Royce is used to propel Airbus A350 aircraft on long-distance journeys.

Rolls-Royce tests new technology at its Derby facility to reduce the corrosive effects of sand and dust on jet engines, particularly those operating in the Middle East. The company says the issue does not pose a safety risk but significantly impacts efficiency and increases maintenance needs due to faster wear of protective engine coatings.

Sand and fine dust particles, often ingested during take-off, can enter the hottest sections of an aircraft engine. When coolant holes become blocked, engines run even hotter and corrode faster. Pat Hilton, head of test facilities at Rolls-Royce, explained: “The dust can penetrate the hottest parts of the engine and wear that part out at a quicker rate than it would if it wasn’t flying through sand.”

To combat this, Rolls-Royce has redesigned engine components using more heat-resistant metals and relocated coolant holes to reduce blockage. These initiatives form part of a wider £1 billion durability programme covering several engine models, including the high-performance Trent XWB-97 used on Airbus A350 aircraft.

Source: Rolls-Royce

When dust enters the turbine section of the Trent XWB-97 engine, it leads to wear and damage of its components.

Tests are being conducted in three stages at the company’s state-of-the-art Testbed 80 in Sinfin. Engines from the first two phases have already returned to service, and are now able to fly 60% longer between major overhauls. The University of Manchester has also developed synthetic dust that accurately replicates the talcum-fine particles common in Gulf regions.

Hilton said the goal is to eventually double the lifespan between engine part replacements. Currently, a Trent engine can fly the equivalent of 500 trips around the world before key components need replacing, a figure expected to double after the project’s completion in 2028.

Concerns over engine durability were raised last year by Emirates Airline president Sir Tim Clark regarding the Trent XWB-97. Rolls-Royce says its ongoing upgrades are designed to address durability challenges across the entire fleet.