GKN Aerospace has efficiently achieved a significant milestone delivering a ground-based demonstrator of a liquid hydrogen plane gasoline system. The demonstrator was designed, constructed and examined in collaboration with Filton Programs Engineering, beneath the Innovate UK-funded Protected Flight undertaking. The aim of the undertaking was to research 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 handle lots of the security issues raised by the introduction of such a novel gasoline. Built-in 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 trade 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 strain over a variety {of electrical} hundreds typical of a UAS search and rescue mission.
Key outcomes of the undertaking embrace growth of secure system design, manufacturing data, operational data for liquid hydrogen gasoline techniques, hydrogen gasoline system check knowledge, and an adaptable check rig suited to additional examine of hydrogen parts and subsystems.
Max Brown VP Know-how GKN Aerospace mentioned: ’’We’re delighted with the end 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 check atmosphere the workforce have demonstrated fueling and storage of liquid hydrogen, conditioning and distribution of cryogenic gasoline, and the usage of PEM gasoline cells to generate electrical energy.” Brown continued ”while the main target of this work was on a small scale platform, the achievement is very aligned with different work we’re conducting in applications equivalent to H2GEAR, the place we’re delivering propulsion applied sciences centered on enabling zero emissions flight.’’
The Protected 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 turn into “essentially the most trusted and sustainable companion within the sky.”
