Hydrogen Fuel: A Chance for Revolution in the Aviation Industry

Achieving climate neutrality and reducing CO₂ emissions is one of the main challenges for modern engineering. The search for alternative solutions to internal combustion engines is still ongoing. One of the promising solutions under development is the use of hydrogen as fuel in the aviation industry. Do “green” airplanes have a chance to take off? Much indicates that they do, but it won’t happen quickly.

The Magic Element

Hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the entire solar system. Its physicochemical properties make it potentially the most attractive source for the electro-energy industry. It is highly efficient, thanks to its density, which allows for the highest energy coefficient per unit mass. The byproduct of its combustion is water vapor, making it potentially the cleanest fuel. Unfortunately, its industrial-scale production is still costly and presents many challenges for engineers. The most ecological method, electrolysis, is still not very profitable unless it relies on “clean” energy sources – the electricity consumption balance in the production process remains negative, and its maximum efficiency ranges from 50% to 70%. Another method is steam reforming, but it relies on fossil fuels as raw materials, which eventually excludes it, partly due to the resulting byproducts. The most promising seems to be hydrogen production through photosynthesis and fermentation of marine algae and microorganisms. However, this technology is still not advanced enough for industrial-scale application.

Back to the Past

The use of liquid hydrogen as fuel is not a new idea at all. This solution was already used during the Apollo program, whose ultimate goal was to realize a crewed mission to the Moon. One of the rockets built during its duration was the Saturn V, which made its flight in 1969. This technology inspired the creators of the Space Perspective project, aiming to revolutionize space tourism. The first commercial space flights are already planned for the end of 2024. Fortunately, the project’s creators took into account possible negative environmental effects and opted for an emission-free solution developed by NASA decades earlier. The Neptune spacecraft capsule, attached to a huge balloon utilizing hydrogen, is set to rise to an altitude of 100,000 feet, offering tourists unforgettable views.

Hydrogen in the Aviation Industry

We will have to wait a little longer for the introduction of commercial aircraft flying, but work on new engine models is already underway. Two years ago, the German company Airbus announced the introduction of such machines by the end of 2035. Among the multidisciplinary specialists working on this solution are teams of engineers from ALTEN Group, responsible for the design, mechanical, and thermal analysis of the engine to ensure the integrity of the hydrogen tank and passenger safety. These engines are supposed to burn hydrogen instead of aviation fuel, and there is also research into the possibility of using this element to charge fuel cells that will power electric engines.

Author: Adrianna Alksnin, Content & Social Media Specialist at ALTEN Polska