Developments in aviation still in progress to incorporate green hydrogen, especially as fuel; experts predict rapid progress in coming years.
Here’s an article posted in Ainonline.
According to the article,
- Experts predict that by 2050, around a third of aviation could be powered by hydrogen, with liquid hydrogen potentially dominating the short and medium-haul aircraft market
- Airbus plans to launch the world’s first commercial hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035, indicating a significant focus on hydrogen in the aviation industry
- The growth of hydrogen in commercial vehicles is faster, driven by falling costs, increased range, and quick charge times
Developing hydrogen-powered aircraft engines poses several specific technical challenges that need to be addressed for successful implementation. Here are some of the key challenges:
1. Hydrogen Storage
Hydrogen has a very low volumetric density, which means that it requires significantly more space than conventional jet fuel. Liquid hydrogen needs to be stored in cryogenic conditions at extremely low temperatures (around -253°C), necessitating specialized, heavy tanks that can withstand these conditions. This adds weight and complexity to aircraft design, as the tanks cannot be easily integrated into existing wing structures designed for jet fuel storage.
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2. Infrastructure and Refueling
The current aviation infrastructure is primarily designed for fossil fuels, which means significant modifications will be needed to accommodate hydrogen. This includes developing new refueling systems and ensuring safe transportation and storage of liquid hydrogen at airports. The energy required to liquefy hydrogen also reduces its overall efficiency, as nearly a quarter of the energy is consumed in the liquefaction process.
3. Combustion Characteristics
Hydrogen burns much faster than traditional fuels, which necessitates precise control over the combustion process to prevent issues such as pre-ignition and backfire.
4. Production of Clean Hydrogen
The sustainability of hydrogen as an aviation fuel hinges on how it is produced. Currently, most hydrogen is derived from methods that emit significant CO2, such as steam methane reforming. The aviation sector will need to develop a reliable supply chain for green hydrogen to ensure the environmental benefits are realized.
Interestingly, we have some other posts related to this content:
Applications Of Hydrogen Fuel In Aviation Industry:
- Describes the applications of hydrogen fuel in aviation, highlighting its potential for reducing emissions and its higher energy density compared to traditional jet fuel.
