According to Airbus news, it has enlightened the industry with three concepts related to the first zero-emission commercial aircraft in the world. The concept of aircraft is likely to make aircrafts serviceable by 2035. The new air plan concepts have a different approach to attaining zero-emission flight. These concepts will explore other technological avenues and aerodynamic configurations so that the company’s objectives and aim can be supported to lead the aviation industry when it comes to decarbonization. More about the same in this write-up.
Zero fuel aircraft technology
The concept planes bank on hydrogen as the primary power source. This is a concept that Airbus thinks will hold exceptional promise replacing traditional aircraft fuel with clean aviation fuel, and will be a solution in the aviation industry for all aerospace domains and other industries so that the climate-neutral targets can be met.
Commenting on the Airbus concept plane, the Airbus Chief Executive Officer had stated that the moment is a historic one for the company and the commercial aviation industry. This is because the company wants to play a leading role in the Zero fuel aircraft technology segment. The Concept aircraft plan that the company unveils will allow the world to get a sneak peek into the new air plan. The CEO also said that he believes that using hydrogen as the source of synthetic fuels and as the primary source of commercial aircraft will have the ability to minimize the impact of climatic change consequences.
What are the three concepts?
The three concepts are known as codename “ZEROe”, which for the first climate-neutral zero-emission commercial aircraft comprise-
- A turbofan design capable of carrying around 120 to 200 passengers and having a range of approximately 2000 plus nautical miles with the ability to operate transcontinentally and being powered by modified gas turbines that run on hydrogen instead of jet fuel through combustion. The liquid hydrogen stored will get distributed through tanks that are placed behind the rear pressure bulkhead.
- A turboprop design capable of carrying up to 100 passengers by making use of the turboprop engine and not a turbofan and powered by hydrogen combustion within gas turbine engines that are modified that could be capable of traveling nautical miles that exceed 1000, making it a perfect one for trips for short distances.
- The second one is a “blended-wing body” design capable of carrying 200 passengers. This is a concept aircraft where the wings will merge with the main aircraft body with a range like a turbofan concept. The wide fuselage offers multiple options for distribution and hydrogen storage and as well as for the cabin layout.
To give shape to these challenges, airports must be equipped with hydrogen transportation facilities and infrastructure for refueling to meet the requirements of the daily operations.
