Hydrogen-powered aircraft could be set to take off from UK airports sooner than expected should Project HEART prove a success.
Protium has joined forces with manufacturer of hydrogen compression systems, Haskel, and hydrogen generation and distribution specialist, Nel Hydrogen, with the goal of facilitating end-to-end hydrogen infrastructure that can safely fuel hydrogen aircraft. Through the project, the partners will also aim to showcase the growing feasibility of green hydrogen technology with aviation.
Focusing on regional airports at first, Project HEART is developing a refuelling solution that can cater to aircraft that carries between 9 and 19 passengers, with a range of 500 miles. The solution will span off-site hydrogen production, its transference to site and refuelling of the fuel cell-electric propulsion aircraft through a mobile refueller. Haskel will integrate its ultra-efficient hydrogen compression system with a Nel Hydrogen electrolyser, which should help to deliver hydrogen to power fuel cell-electric propulsion aircraft as trials get underway.
