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GKN Aerospace has efficiently achieved a significant milestone delivering a floor-based mostly demonstrator of a liquid hydrogen plane gasoline system. The demonstrator was designed, constructed and examined in collaboration with Filton Systems Engineering, below the Innovate UK-funded Safe Flight undertaking. The aim of the undertaking was to analyze the feasibility of utilizing a liquid hydrogen gasoline supply to extend the endurance of a search and rescue uncrewed aerial system (UAS) idea.
The undertaking enabled GKN to know and deal with lots of the security considerations raised by the introduction of such a novel gasoline. Integrated gasoline tank design and distribution options have been developed, together with vaporization and conditioning of the liquid hydrogen. The efficiency of the gasoline system was verified by coupling it with a proton alternate membrane (PEM) gasoline cell stack, consultant of the kind that may very well be put in on a future zero emission plane. The undertaking demonstrated profitable storage and administration of liquid hydrogen, supplying the gasoline cell energy system with hydrogen on the required temperature and stress over a variety {of electrical} masses typical of a UAS search and rescue mission.
Key outcomes of the undertaking embrace improvement of protected system design, manufacturing data, operational data for liquid hydrogen gasoline techniques, hydrogen gasoline system take a look at knowledge, and an adaptable take a look at rig suited to additional examine of hydrogen parts and subsystems.
Max Brown VP Technology GKN Aerospace mentioned: ’’We are delighted with the result of this undertaking and imagine we’re very a lot on the forefront of exploring the challenges on this space. In a single finish – finish take a look at setting the staff have demonstrated fueling and storage of liquid hydrogen, conditioning and distribution of cryogenic fuel, and using PEM gasoline cells to generate electrical energy.” Brown continued ”while the main focus of this work was on a small scale platform, the achievement is very aligned with different work we’re conducting in applications reminiscent of H2GEAR, the place we’re delivering propulsion applied sciences centered on enabling zero emissions flight.’’
The Safe Flight undertaking has positioned GKN Aerospace for bigger and extra complicated demonstrations of hydrogen-powered plane sooner or later, as the corporate continues to pursue its mission to develop into “probably the most trusted and sustainable companion within the sky.”
