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Tech - News - Mobile Tech Updated: November 30, 2022

Airbus Developing Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Engine For Aircraft

By Lawrence Agbo
November 30, 2022
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Airbus has announced the creation of an aviation-specific hydrogen fuel-cell engine as part of its objective to have zero-emission aircraft in operation by 2035.

In contrast to Rolls-recently Royce's unveiled jet engine, which burns hydrogen directly, this system uses an electric motor similar to that seen in fuel-cell vehicles and emits only water.

According to the business, it might potentially be used in commercial aeroplanes that fly up to 100 passengers 1,000 nautical miles (1,150 miles).

By the middle of the decade, Airbus intends to test the engine on its A380 MSN1 aircraft, which is "now being upgraded to carry liquid hydrogen tanks," the company stated.

However, it appears that the technology is intended for smaller, regional aircraft of this type, which runs on more efficient propellers rather than jet engines.

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"Fuel cells are a potential solution to help us achieve our zero-emission ambition and we are focused on developing and testing this technology to understand if it is feasible and viable for a 2035 entry-into-service of a zero-emission aircraft," said Airbus VP for zero-emission aircraft, Glenn Llewellyn. 

The company gave no additional information, but fuel cells are a well-known automotive technology.

If you take into account fuel production and electricity conversion, they are significantly less efficient than battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

They are lighter, faster to refuel, and have a greater range, which is obviously important for aircraft.

As previously reported, Rolls-Royce recently revealed the successful testing of a jet engine that runs on directly burning hydrogen, another potential technology for the future of aviation.

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The business modified a regional aviation engine, the Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A, found in turboprop commuter flights, to run on the unusual fuel.

The technology might, however, be expanded for larger planes.

Before hydrogen could ever be used to power aeroplanes, there are still several significant obstacles to be solved.

For the same range, hydrogen requires four times as much fuel by weight as conventional fuel, and the fuel must be maintained under pressure.

In addition, because hydrogen is very explosive, aircraft storage and delivery systems would need to be incredibly dependable and strong, which would increase weight.

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Even still, it might be the only choice for aircraft in the near future because battery technology is still too heavy to be used for anything except the shortest of trips.

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Lawrence Agbo

Lawrence is a vibrant digital journalist that loves creating SEO-focused content that drives busines...

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