The United Kingdom’s (UK) government has awarded ZeroAvia and consortium partners a grant of £10.8 million towards the project to develop a novel liquid hydrogen management system. Co-funded through the ATI Programme, the project aims to integrate a lightweight fuel system into a Dornier 228 for a planned series of flight tests.
Liquid hydrogen management system
The Liquid Hydrogen System Integration & Flight Test (LH-SIFT) project aims to quickly develop a Liquid Hydrogen Management System (LHMS) and establish a flexible flight test platform. This platform will support both UK and international liquid hydrogen supply chains by accelerating the advancement of LH2 technologies.
The LH2 management system, developed as part of LH-SIFT, consists of a novel lightweight metallic tank design and supporting systems, mostly for filling and managing storage and distribution. ZeroAvia is supported by consortium partners such as Green Resource Engineering and Gas & Liquid Controls. In partnership with ZeroAvia, the project focuses on the development of fill, feed, vent, and vaporiser systems. It offers a rare opportunity to design and evaluate cryogenic aviation fuel system components in flight, as it establishes a commercial airframe test bed for liquid hydrogen flight. ZeroAvia has been advancing certification for a 600-kilowatts (kW) hydrogen-electric powertrain for 10 to 20 seat aircraft using gaseous hydrogen fuel. ZeroAvia is also developing a next-generation fuel-cell aircraft engine.
Liquid hydrogen fuel storage
ZeroAvia is also investing in liquid hydrogen storage technology, which stores fuel at cryogenic temperatures (-253°C), enabling higher energy density by volume compared to gaseous hydrogen, though still lower than conventional jet fuels. Companies with small aircraft aiming for zero-emissions can also benefit from liquid hydrogen to extend aircraft capabilities.
James McMicking, the chief strategy officer at ZeroAvia stated that liquid hydrogen is a necessity in achieving the volumetric and gravimetric energy density required by larger zero emission aircraft that no other solutions offer. He said the project will drive further evolution of liquid hydrogen technology, proving the capability to test and validate in-flight and refuelling operations. He added that it will unlock investments from a wider ecosystem that can scale zero emission aircraft technology and support hydrogen airport infrastructure. With the UK’s capabilities at the heart of the project, he said that this represents a great opportunity for the UK’s manufacturing supply chain.
Sarah Jones, the UK’s government industry minister, stated that the government is in support of the growth in the aerospace sector and that this investment will keep the sector at the forefront of innovation. This statement was in reference to the project and other ATI investments. She said this not only delivers economic growth but also boosts the charge to net-zero in 2050. She added, this is the latest development in British aerospace, following the launch of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, and that it will accelerate growth in the country’s advanced manufacturing and defence sectors, potentially creating new high-skilled jobs.
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