Description
The aviation sector accounts for 2.5 - 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Liquid hydrogen offers an opportunity to reduce the climate impact of aviation in the future by using hydrogen combustion engines or fuel cells. Using liquid hydrogen at airports poses challenges in terms of logistics, safety, and handling. The ALRIGH2T ("Airport-level Demonstration of Ground Refuelling of Liquid Hydrogen for Aviation") project aims to develop and demonstrate technologies and processes for the refuelling of aircrafts with liquid hydrogen. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the project, 21 partners from eight countries are cooperating. Among them are research facilities, institutions, and industrial partners, each possessing specialized knowledge in the design and manufacturing of aviation equipment and liquid hydrogen.
The aim of the project is to develop two refueling technologies and demonstrate them at airports in Milan and Paris. The direct refueling of an aircraft with liquid hydrogen and a tank swap technology in which an empty tank is replaced by a full tank are being investigated. As part of the ALIRGH2T project, the Institute of Plant and Process Technology is working on the development and modeling of a direct refueling system based on a liquid hydrogen centrifugal pump in cooperation with Linde plc. The required pump is being developed and tested in a test facility. In addition, a dynamic model for the loading and unloading processes of liquid hydrogen is being developed and used to optimize the overall system.
(Project website: ALRIGH2T)
Funding
Funded by the European Union under grant agreement No 101138105. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union (EU) or European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the EU nor REA can be held responsible for them.