The future is approaching by giant steps. So much that there is already talk of the veins and arteries of the largest engine in the world which uses fuel at -253ºC. Due to the high environmental footprint left by the fossil fuels we have been using for decades, humanity is forced to look for new ways to supply the transport sector.
Despite its effective performance, it is no longer possible to continue on the path drawn, since it translates into global warming and climate change. Within the panorama of change raised and expected, we encounter a sector that, although often forgotten, requires our attention as much or more than others: that of aviation.
Its decarbonization is a challenge, even for experts. That is why no option can be ruled out. From aircraft propelled by electricity batteries to fuels never seen.
Aviation finds a new horizon with the largest engine in the world
In this context, the American company Universal Hydrogen It seems to have a lot to say in the field of hydrogen. Carried out a successful test in which he used a aircraft motor that works with this energy vector.
They used a pile of a megavatio fuel that works with liquid hydrogen. The study was executed in the air and space port of Mojave, in the state of California.
Its liquid hydrogen module was created at the Engineering and Design Center of Universal Hydrogen in TOULOUSE, FRANCIAand contains 200 kg of liquid hydrogen.
It houses a storage capacity for long periods of time without evaporation at low temperatures (cryogenic hydrogen). In addition to this, it can transform it into hot gaseous hydrogen, consumed by the power train.
Its piece also includes elements such as hydrogen leak detection and ventilation systems, in addition to a fast leak -proof connector to make its installation and extraction of the aircraft easier.
It is the largest fuel cell power train that has resorted to liquid hydrogen in the world. A finding that goes hand in hand with the Unimaginable finding from the United Kingdom, where they have reached an airplane engine that does not contaminate.
The largest hydrogen engine in the world revolutionizes aviation
In the test carried out, the liquid hydrogen motor He supplied a land model of the company for more than an hour and 40 minutes, simulating the flight profile that makes a regional aircraft.
Theoretically, this liquid hydrogen model is loaded with a fuel that allows you to travel more than 800 km of trajectory and three hours of flight at full power, figures to which we must add 45 minutes of reserve.
The objective of the company to apply its hydrogen technology on regional flights. Universal Hydrogen estimates the entry of liquid hydrogen engines In the commercial aviation sector for next year.
Following this line, the firm already works on the certification of a kit of power train conversion in order to modernize existing regional aircraft to allow them to flight with hydrogen. That is, take advantage of current technology and transform it into a more renewable and compassionate piece with the environment.
Liquid hydrogen, a fuel at -253ºC that works miracles in this aviation engine
Liquid hydrogen (used in this project) is acquired cooling gaseous hydrogen at very low temperatures, at approximately -253ºC, until it reaches its point of liquefaction. This procedure, called cryogenic liquefaction, transforms gas into extremely dense liquid.
This conversion allows to store greater amounts of hydrogen in more limited volumes, something very useful when it seeks to transport or store large amounts of this energy vector, such as industrial applications or long -distance energy supply.
The veins and arteries of the largest engine in the world which uses fuel at -253ºC already resonates strong in the aviation sector. A sector that had already been surprised to discover The supermotor capable of launching 100 airplanes with an almost experimental fuel and 2700 hp.
