An approach to the use of hydrogen for commercial aircraft engines

Abstract

This paper presents some results on the performance of hydrogen-based engines. In particular, the following aspects are addressed: benefits associated with specific fuel and energy consumption, net thrust, turbine entry temperature, and hardware changes needed in the upgrading process from kerosene to hydrogen. Hydrogen is a high-energy clean-burning fuel whose main combustion product is water vapour plus traces of nitrogen oxides. This fact suggests that, provided that the technology is available, the use of hydrogen could offer some opportunities for the environmentally friendly development and sustained growth of commercial aviation. The study has been performed in the frame of the Liquid Hydrogen Fuelled Aircraft – System Analysis (CRYOPLANE) project. This is a Fifth Framework Programme, supported by the European Commission, whose objective was to assess the feasibility of using hydrogen as a clean energy source for air transportation systems.