Hydrogen cell plane sailing!
The first hydrogen-powered plane has been successfully tested by a pilot.
The small, propeller-driven craft, made three short flights in Spain. It was powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which produce only heat and water as exhaust products.
Although hydrogen-powered planes had been flown before, they have been remote-controlled. This is the first with a human payload - a safety statement as well as a venture into exploring its handling.
These advances could lead to a new generation of greener aircraft.
new generation
Chief technology officer John Tracy of aviation giant Boeing who developed this test plane, said the flights were “a historical technological success” and “full of promises for a greener future”.
The fuel cells created electricity by chemical reaction which was then used to power an electric motor coupled to a propeller. During take-off the plane’s batteries were used to provide an additional boost, but whilst in the air, the plane relied entirely on the cells.
staying small
Although the test had been successful, the firm said it did not believe fuel cells could be the primary power source for large passenger aircraft. However, it could be used as a secondary source of energy for large planes.Â
Liquid hydrogen occupies 4.2 times the volume of jet fuel for the same energy which means that the tanks have to be huge. Jet fuel weighs 2.9 times more than liquid hydrogen for the same energy. So there is some trade-off between these, but still the energy efficiency issues would produce different-shaped planes.
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