Poll: Will Hydrogen Revolutionize Commercial Aviation?

January 06, 2021
Dash 8
Credit: Universal Hydrogen Concept

The COVID-19 pandemic has focused research onto aircraft of the future, as government support for the aerospace industry has come with mandates for investments in more sustainable aviation. As hybrid-electric projects move forward, a new push from Europe is focused on zero-emissions hydrogen propulsion.

Will hydrogen really revolutionize commercial aviation? Cast your vote below:

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Aviation Week editors discussed how today’s research will shape the aircraft of the 2030s and beyond, and the implications for Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, regional aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers. Watch the full recording here.

Comments

1 Comment
RICHARD O.
Wed, 01/06/2021 - 22:11
Never say never. That said, the comparisons of "ideal" fuel heating value are worthless, or at best, deceiving. LH2 derivation costs/energy are where you start. Total installation onto an airplane is where it goes. Then there is overall life cycle maintenance, sustainability, etc. In general, after full installation effects are included, efficiencies erode kwh and impact kg terms (heavy tanks, lines, insulation, etc.), so the final kwh/kg for the LH system looks more like kerosene (or worse). At that point one needs to again install a device to turn LH into power (e.g. turbine burn it, or fuel cell, etc). There are alternatives, if one only takes the blinders off. Technically possible, but economically feasible?
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