Hydrogen-powered planes are being developed to make aviation more climate-neutral, and researchers at ETH Zurich are working on developing the jet engines that will power these planes. The European Union has also launched a project to support the development of a hydrogen-powered medium-haul aircraft. Traditional jet engines are optimized for burning kerosene, so adjustments need to be made for hydrogen engines as hydrogen burns faster and produces more compact flames. The researchers at ETH Zurich have conducted experiments to address challenges such as vibrations and acoustic behavior in hydrogen engines, which are crucial for ensuring the engines are powerful and durable.
One of the challenges in developing hydrogen engines is minimizing vibrations, which can lead to material fatigue and potentially cause damage to the engine. Engineers have previously optimized kerosene engines to control vibrations by shaping flames and adjusting combustion chamber geometry and acoustics. However, the type of fuel used has a significant impact on the interactions between sound and flame, requiring new approaches for hydrogen engines. The researchers at ETH Zurich are using a test and measurement facility to simulate conditions at cruising altitude and study the acoustics of hydrogen flames to predict potential vibrations. This work is part of the EU project HYDEA, in collaboration with GE Aerospace, to test hydrogen injection nozzles and optimize engine performance.
The research conducted by ETH Zurich involves measuring the acoustic behavior of hydrogen flames under real flight conditions, using a single nozzle and modeling a collection of nozzles as they would be arranged in a future hydrogen engine. This research will help engineers optimize the injection nozzles and pave the way for a high-performance hydrogen engine, which could potentially power the first hydrogen-fueled aircraft in the future. While developing hydrogen engines is a significant step towards transitioning aviation to the hydrogen age, Professor Noiray emphasizes the importance of establishing the entire infrastructure for hydrogen aviation, including producing climate-neutral hydrogen and transporting it to airports.
According to Professor Noiray, the development of hydrogen engines and tanks for aircraft may not be the greatest challenge in transitioning aviation to the hydrogen age, as engineers have the capability to achieve these advancements. The major challenge lies in establishing the infrastructure for hydrogen aviation, ensuring the production of sufficient quantities of climate-neutral hydrogen, and transporting it to airports within a reasonable timeframe. This requires a collaborative effort from industry, academia, and governments to make hydrogen-powered aviation a reality. By addressing these challenges and developing innovative solutions, hydrogen-powered planes could revolutionize aviation and contribute to a more sustainable future for air travel.
