GKN Aerospace has efficiently achieved a significant milestone delivering a ground-based demonstrator of a liquid hydrogen plane gas system. The demonstrator was designed, constructed and examined in collaboration with Filton Programs Engineering, underneath the Innovate UK-funded Protected Flight mission. The aim of the mission was to research the feasibility of utilizing a liquid hydrogen gas supply to extend the endurance of a search and rescue uncrewed aerial system (UAS) idea.
The mission enabled GKN to know and handle lots of the security issues raised by the introduction of such a novel gas. Built-in gas tank design and distribution options have been developed, together with vaporization and conditioning of the liquid hydrogen. The efficiency of the gas system was verified by coupling it with a proton trade membrane (PEM) gas cell stack, consultant of the sort that may very well be put in on a future zero emission plane. The mission demonstrated profitable storage and administration of liquid hydrogen, supplying the gas cell energy system with hydrogen on the required temperature and strain over a variety {of electrical} masses typical of a UAS search and rescue mission.
Key outcomes of the mission embody growth of secure system design, manufacturing data, operational data for liquid hydrogen gas programs, hydrogen gas system take a look at knowledge, and an adaptable take a look at rig suited to additional research of hydrogen elements and subsystems.
Max Brown VP Expertise GKN Aerospace mentioned: ’’We’re delighted with the end result of this mission and consider we’re very a lot on the forefront of exploring the challenges on this space. In a single finish – finish take a look at surroundings the group have demonstrated fueling and storage of liquid hydrogen, conditioning and distribution of cryogenic fuel, and using PEM gas 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 packages similar to H2GEAR, the place we’re delivering propulsion applied sciences targeted on enabling zero emissions flight.’’
The Protected Flight mission has positioned GKN Aerospace for bigger and extra advanced 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 associate within the sky.”
