A US company called Universal Hydrogen has successfully tested a 1-megawatt (MW) fuel cell powered by liquid hydrogen. This test, conducted at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California, marks the largest trial of its kind for a liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft system.
Many companies are striving to make aviation more eco-friendly by developing electric-powered flights using batteries. However, batteries are heavier and have lower energy density, making them unsuitable for long-distance flights.
Hydrogen fuel cells, on the other hand, show great potential. They could be the solution for short-distance flights, offering a carbon-free alternative to traditional fuels.
Last year, Universal Hydrogen made history by flying a 40-seater plane powered by hydrogen for the first time. The converted Dash-8 aircraft, named Lightning McClean, flew for 15 minutes, reaching an altitude of 3,500 feet. The company believes it can fly up to 460 miles (740 km) using this technology.
While this achievement is impressive, Universal Hydrogen acknowledges the challenges in making this technology commercially viable. When powered by traditional fossil fuels, a Dash-8 aircraft can seat 56 passengers.
However, to use hydrogen fuel, it has to sacrifice 16 paying passengers to prioritize environmental friendliness. This poses a significant obstacle for airlines, as they may struggle to balance profitability with sustainability.
Last year, Universal Hydrogen made history by flying a 40-seater plane powered by hydrogen for the first time. The converted Dash-8 aircraft, named Lightning McClean, flew for 15 minutes, reaching an altitude of 3,500 feet. The company believes it can fly up to 460 miles (740 km) using this technology.
While this achievement is impressive, Universal Hydrogen acknowledges the challenges in making this technology commercially viable. When powered by traditional fossil fuels, a Dash-8 aircraft can seat 56 passengers.
However, to use hydrogen fuel, it has to sacrifice 16 paying passengers to prioritize environmental friendliness. This poses a significant obstacle for airlines, as they may struggle to balance profitability with sustainability.
Liquid hydrogen to extend the range and increase seating capacity
In September of last year, H2Fly, a company focusing on hydrogen-based aviation, showcased its inaugural flight using liquid hydrogen.
By transitioning to liquid hydrogen fuel, the company not only boosted the flight’s range but also managed to minimize the space required for the hydrogen fuel system onboard. This means airlines wouldn’t have to sacrifice too many seats to accommodate the system.
Such advancements could help tackle the financial hurdles of adopting more eco-friendly practices, making hydrogen technology more accessible in the aviation industry.
Universal Hydrogen has developed a liquid hydrogen system designed to power more energetic engines for regional flights, such as those used by Dash-8 or ATR-72 aircraft.
This system, roughly the size of an air freight container, can easily be exchanged in hydrogen-powered aircraft, using the existing cargo handling equipment typically used for cargo shipments.
The world’s strongest engine
In February of this year, Universal Hydrogen performed a ground test of its liquid hydrogen system at the Mojave Air and Space Port.
During the test, the liquid hydrogen module was linked to the Iron Bird, which serves as the company’s operational model of its power system. Universal Hydrogen reported that the test ran smoothly for an hour and 40 minutes without any issues, according to their press release.
While the duration of the test was impressive, what Universal Hydrogen has achieved with this module is even more remarkable. At first glance, the module resembles a storage container for liquid hydrogen.
However, aside from storing up to 485 pounds (225 kgs) of liquid hydrogen, the module also can convert it into hydrogen gas as needed for the power system.
The design includes features to prevent hydrogen from boiling off, as well as a leak detection system and safety vents. Additionally, a quick-connect system enables easy installation of the module onto the aircraft, and it can be removed once empty.
According to the press release, the module has enough liquid hydrogen to power the Iron Bird at maximum capacity for three hours. For a regional flight spanning approximately 500 miles, two of these modules, along with reserves, would suffice for an ATR72 aircraft.
Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen, stated, “This demonstration, from our filler/dispenser to our storage module and then to our power system, marks the first time all components of our regional aviation product lineup have been successfully integrated. Our next step is to upgrade our flight testbed to fly using the power system fueled by our modules.”
