THE WORLD'S FIRST MANNED LH2 POWERED FUEL-CELL ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT!

The potential of LH2 powered flight is awesome, given this fact:

The gravimetric energy density of a fuel is the amount of energy that
can be released by a given mass of
fuel. It is typically measured in megajoules per kilogram (MJ/kg) 12.

Liquid hydrogen has a gravimetric energy density of 141.8 MJ/kg 3. In
comparison, gasoline has a
gravimetric energy density of 46 MJ/kg 13. Therefore, liquid hydrogen
has a 300%+ higher gravimetric
energy density than gasoline.

However, at this point in development, the efficiency of electrolysis
is ~70-80%, and the efficiency of fuel-cells is about ~60%.

What makes electric motive power of automobiles and aircraft viable
today is the dismal ~20% efficiency of internal-combustion engines
compared to electric motors ~98% efficiency.

https://www.h2-view.com/story/h2fly-completes-worlds-first-manned-liquid-hydrogen-flight-with-fuel-cell-aircraft/
“Fueled with green hydrogen produced by Air Liquide at its French
liquefaction facility, […]”

Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water, using
renewable electricity such as photovoltaics (solar).

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https://www.h2-view.com/story/h2fly-completes-worlds-first-manned-liquid-hydrogen-flight-with-fuel-cell-aircraft/

H2FLY completes world’s ‘first’ manned liquid hydrogen flight with fuel
cell aircraft
By Charlie Currie
on Sep 07, 2023

Germany’s H2FLY has completed the world’s “first” manned liquid
hydrogen-powered flight of a fuel cell electric aircraft in a
demonstration in Maribor, Slovenia.

Fuelled with green hydrogen produced by Air Liquide at its French
liquefaction facility, the HY4 aircraft on Thursday (September 7) took
off from the Aerodrom Maribor, taking to the skies for around 10
minutes before successfully landing.

Having completed four liquid hydrogen-powered flights as part of the
initial test campaign, H2FLY says one flight lasted over three hours,
using just 10kg of hydrogen, of the 24kg available on board.

Following on from over 110 successful gaseous hydrogen-fuelled test
flights, the liquid system is estimated to have doubled the HY4’s range
from 750km to 1,500km, with the company confident that flights of up to
eight hours will be possible.

Compared to gaseous hydrogen, the energy carrier’s liquid form offers
higher energy density, allowing for more to be stored onboard the
aircraft.

“The achievement marks a watershed moment in the use of hydrogen to
power aircraft,” remarked Prof. Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO of
H2FLY. “Together with our partners, we have demonstrated the viability
of liquid hydrogen to support medium and long-range emissions-free
flight.”

Air Liquide’s 24kg liquid hydrogen storage system

Equipped with an aluminium liquid hydrogen tank, supplied and
integrated by Air Liquide, the HY4 aircraft’s 120kW PEM fuel cells
evaporate the liquid hydrogen using their excess heat to allow them to
be powered.

Air Liquide Advanced Technologies’ Innovation Director, Pierre Crespi,
expressing pride to have been a part of the project, said, “Today’s
success demonstrates the full potential of liquid hydrogen for
aviation. Liquid hydrogen can be stored onboard and transported.”

Although the HY4 aircraft will not enter commercial operations, H2FLY
is confident the liquid hydrogen powertrain system developed as part of
the innovative aircraft will pave the way for commercial hydrogen-
powered flight.

In June (2023), the Stuttgart-based company announced a new programme
to develop a next generation fuel cell system to produce megawatt-class
powertrains to power 40-seater aircraft.

Read more:H2FLY announces new fuel cell programme to take hydrogen-
powered flight higher

The HY4 has been developed as part of the EU-backed Project HEAVEN, led
by H2FLY, with participation from Air Liquide, Pipistrel Vertical
Solutions, the DLR German Aerospace Centet, and EKPO Fuel Cell
Technologies and Fundación.

Dr. Syed Asif Ansar, Head of the Department Energy System Integration
at DLR, said the flight represented an achievement in aviation history.

“This progressive journey culminates in a significant present
achievement in aviation history: the utilisation of cryogenic liquefied
hydrogen as fuel storage for a four-seater aircraft powered by fuel
cells,” he said.

Additionally, the HY4 has received funding from the German Federal
Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the German
Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMVD) and the University of
Ulm.

H2 View was on the ground in Maribor as the HY4 took to the skies. Keep
an eye on our news pages for a deep dive into the demonstration.
=====================================================================

https://www.electrive.com/2023/09/08/h2fly-announces-first-successful-test-flight-with-liquid-h2/

Sep 8, 2023 - 02:17 pm
H2FLY announces first successful test flight with liquid H2
BMDVBMWKELECTRIC AIRCRAFTFCEVFUEL CELLGERMANYH2FLYHEAVENHY4SUBSIDIESUNI
ULM

In cooperation with partners, H2FLY has announced the completion of
what it claims is the world’s first flight of a manned electric
aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen. The test flights are intended to
indicate that the maximum range of the demonstration aircraft can be
doubled from 750 to 1,500 kilometres.

H2FLY is known to be a Stuttgart-based company specialising in the
development of hydrogen fuel cell systems for aircraft. Together with
partners from the ‘HEAVEN’ project, the company now reports its first
flights with liquid, cryogenic hydrogen (LH2) as fuel. This is “another
important step on the way from demonstration flights operating at lower
altitudes to commercial aircraft applications”, the Stuttgart-based
company emphasises.

The demonstration aircraft HY4, which has been taking off regularly for
test purposes with pressurised tanks since 2020, was used in the test
flight campaign. Among other things, the HY4 has already completed a
124-kilometre non-stop flight with gaseous hydrogen from its home
airport in Stuttgart to Friedrichshafen for the AERO. Now that the test
carrier has been fitted with an LH2 tank system (H2FLY already informed
about progress in the integration of liquid hydrogen tanks in the
summer of 2022), the tension has increased once again. In total, the
HY4, which had been converted in this way, completed four flights
powered by liquid hydrogen – including one flight that lasted over
three hours.

The testers found that “the hydrogen-electric ‘HY4’ demonstrator
aircraft took off from Maribor, Slovenia, and saw safe and efficient
operation throughout multiple flight tests,” as H2FLY wrote. From the
test flights, the Stuttgart-based company deduces that by using liquid
hydrogen instead of gaseous hydrogen, the maximum range of the
demonstration aircraft can be doubled from 750 to 1,500 kilometres.

The background to the LH2 initiative is that the use of liquid,
cryogenic hydrogen enables significantly lower tank weights and volumes
compared to the storage of gaseous hydrogen under high pressure (GH2),
which results in an increased range and payload of the aircraft. The
results now achieved with the HY4 represent, in the view of the
initiators, a decisive step on the way to emission-free, commercial
medium- and long-haul flights.

“This achievement marks a watershed moment in the use of hydrogen to
power aircraft. Together with our partners, we have demonstrated the
viability of liquid hydrogen to support medium and long-range
emissions-free flight,” affirms Josef Kallo, co-founder of H2FLY. “We
are now looking ahead to scaling up our technology for regional
aircraft and other applications, beginning the critical mission of
decarbonizing commercial aviation.”

The successful test flight campaign is the culmination of the above-
mentioned HEAVEN project – a consortium supported by the European
government that aims to demonstrate the use of liquid cryogenic
hydrogen in aircraft. The consortium is led by H2FLY and includes
partners Air Liquide, Pipistrel Vertical Solutions, the German
Aerospace Centre, EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies and Fundación Ayesa.

Syed Asif Ansar, Head of the Energy Systems Integration Department at
the German Aerospace Center (DLR), adds: “DLR boasts extensive
expertise in electrified aircraft, with a track record spanning over 15
years. Starting from the inaugural flight of the Antares DLR-H2 in
2009, consistent advancements have been made in fuel cells and their
auxiliary systems. This progressive journey culminates in a significant
present achievement in aviation history: the utilization of cryogenic
liquified hydrogen as fuel storage for a four-seater aircraft powered
by fuel cells. Collaborating with H2FLY, AirLiquide and other project
members, DLR is actively engaged in projects aimed at propelling the
development of CS-23 and CS-25 fuel-cell powered aircraft into the next
phase.”

In addition to the HEAVEN project, the work was funded by the Federal
Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), the Federal
Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMVD) and the University of
Ulm.

Below are the comments posted to this message thread:
https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/pipistrel-flies-liquid-hydrogen-demonstrator/

75 COMMENTS
Arthur J Foyt September 11, 2023 At 8:40 am
Bending the English language to the point of calling this an
“emissions-free” flight or calling H2 a “sustainable fuel” is a lie by
omission.

Reply
Igor Pfajfar September 11, 2023 At 8:58 am
Emmission-free. Yes, that’s the real question. True, it doesn’t have
direct emissions. Emphasis is on DIRECT. Emissions in all these ”eco”-
and ”sustainable” are usually just off-set. Clear of view, clear of
mind.
H2 is mostly produced from fossil fuel. Shocking discovery, right? Just
a small portion is produced by electrolysis.
Untill we have surplus of sustainably produced electricity H2 will not
be a viable source. To be more precise, it will ectually never be a
source, just an intermediary.

Reply
LDighera September 11, 2023 At 10:26 am
Dear Mr. Foyt,

Apparently you missed this bit of information about the flight’s use of
green-hydrogen:

https://www.h2-view.com/story/h2fly-completes-worlds-first-manned-liquid-hydrogen-flight-with-fuel-cell-aircraft/
“Fuelled with green hydrogen produced by Air Liquide at its French
liquefaction facility, […]”

Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water, using
renewable electricity such as photovoltaics (solar).

Best regards,
Larry Dighera

Reply
Rush S. September 11, 2023 At 11:16 am
Interesting read, thanks for posting the link. Here’s a bit more on Air
Liquide:

http://www.airliquide.com/hydrogen-everything-you-need-know-7-questions

Reply
LDighera September 11, 2023 At 5:50 pm
Thanks you for your gratitude.

Here are more links:

*
https://www.h2-view.com/story/h2fly-completes-worlds-first-manned-liquid-hydrogen-flight-with-fuel-cell-aircraft/

* https://heaven-fch-project.eu/heaven-newsletter-06/

*
https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-04-06/h2fly-tests-liquid-hydrogen-refueling-process-hy4-technology-demonstrator

*
https://aerospace.honeywell.com/us/en/about-us/press-release/2023/01/honeywell-launches-disruptive-research-on-hydrogen-fuel-cells-for-aircraft

*
https://www.flyingmag.com/joby-backed-firm-completes-piloted-flights-of-liquid-hydrogen-powered-aircraft/

*
https://www.mrobusinesstoday.com/joby-subsidiary-h2fly-flies-first-piloted-liquid-hydrogen-electric-jet/

*
https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/features/why-hydrogen-as-an-aviation-fuel-is-in-for-the-long-haul.html

*

Reply
Arthur J Foyt September 11, 2023 At 11:18 am
You can produce H2 with hydro/solar, but liquefying it to -423F takes
even more energy than you get back by using it. That, and the huge
losses due to venting means it is an energy loser. Energy losers are
not “sustainable”. That makes it a lie by omission.

Reply
LDighera September 11, 2023 At 2:59 pm
If the energy used to produce H2 is free sunlight, and you use sunlight
to power the cryocooler to liquefy H2, the energy used is of little
importance; it’s virtually free.

With regard to H2 venting, given the fact that the Space Shuttle was
powered with LH2, its use has a proven record of feasibility.

Today’s Dewar technology will store cryogenic liquids for many months.

Reply
Igor Pfajfar September 11, 2023 At 4:22 pm
This might be in this case, generally most of H2 is produced from
fossil fuels.
Production of H2 is highl energy intensive.
Commendable that you use solar energy for production.
What people most often overlook is energy ballance. It takes much more
energy to produce H2 than the energy reclaimed. And then there is a
”small” matter of compression and storage. That takes a lot of energy.
Another minor problem is storage. I won’t even try to aproach the
problems of cooling. H2 is the smallest gas mollecule and as such
requires pretty expensive, nonporous materials. But you know that,
right?

The old Eric W September 11, 2023 At 5:38 pm
Not so fast!

A recent study showed that communist Chinese solar panels (indirectly
subsidized by the USA and others) have such a huge CO2 footprint they
will not ever make it back up with solar energy production. They burn
coal to make them, and don’t do it very efficiently at that.

At this point, you’d think there would be a LOT of emergency research
into real CO2 output and a pause on government meddling in the markets
so as to do no more harm. I won’t hold my breath.

LDighera September 11, 2023 At 8:22 pm
With regard to:

“The old Eric W
September 11, 2023 At 5:38 pm
A recent study showed that communist Chinese solar panels (indirectly
subsidized by the USA and others ) have such a huge CO2 footprint they
will not ever make it back up with solar energy production. They burn
coal to make them, and don’t do it very efficiently at that.”

Environmental pollution resulting from phototaic panel manufacture
dwindles to insignificance when amortized over their useful life.
Typically, electrical output is reduced to 80% in the span of twenty-
five years.

Eric W, are you certain you want to bring finincial subsidies into the
discussion? ?

The old Eric W September 12, 2023 At 9:01 pm
I’m happy to talk about subsidies, if you can be honest about what
subsidies are. I’m pretty sure I know where you are going, and if you
believe that BS, you need to fact check those Marxist demagogues you’ve
been believing without checking.

LDighera September 13, 2023 At 2:23 pm
Year Federal Petroleum Subsidy Estimate (in billions of USD)
2019 $475.6
2018 $377.3
2017 $331.2
2016 $286.5
2015 $244.1
2014 $209.2
2013 $177.3
2012 $147.8
2011 $122.3
2010 $98.7
2009 $85.6
2008 $73.9
2007 $63.7
2006 $55.2
2005 $48.3
2004 $42.9
2003 $38.7
2002 $35.3
2001 $32.5
2000 $29.9
It’s worth noting that these estimates do not account for all forms of
federal petroleum subsidies, only those related to exploration,
production, and refining. Other forms of subsidies, such as tax credits
and deductions, are also available but are not included in these
estimates.

Richard Phillips September 12, 2023 At 4:06 pm
Oh, please. Can we make as much as we want, without relying on digging
stuff out of the ground? Yes. Thus, sustainable.
Can we make it with renewable energy? Already have. So, at scale, can
be carbon neutral. Thus, green.
ALL forms of converted energy put out less than what it took to make
them. That is true of all fossil fuels, as well.

Reply
LDighera September 12, 2023 At 7:05 pm
Namibia Signs $10 Billion Green Energy Deal With Germany’s Hyphen
https://www.voanews.com/a/namibia-signs-10-billion-green-energy-deal-with-germany-s-hyphen-/7118163.html

The old Eric W September 12, 2023 At 9:05 pm
Who is we? What is want?

If we is the World population, and want is an American, or even UK
level of lifestyle, then no, we cannot currently do that without petro.

We won’t be able to for decades. Maybe a couple decades if the
governments of all the top tier countries get very serious about
nuclear right now.

LDighera September 13, 2023 At 9:42 am
The world is already moving toward large scale Green Hydrogen
production. Google: Namibia Signs $10 Billion Green Energy Deal With
Germany’s Hyphen.

Rich K #2. September 14, 2023 At 8:08 am
Compare the source of the electrolosis energy- nuclear? Coal? Natural
gas?

If nuclear- cool. Otherwise, wasted energy making the hydrogen.

Reply
LDighera September 14, 2023 At 11:53 am
How would you suggest electricity be stored for use to power an
aircraft at a later time?

Reply
JimH in CA September 11, 2023 At 10:45 am
The emissions from a fuel cell is water vapor, a much more powerful
‘green house’ gas than CO2. So, what are they ‘saving’ ?
These ‘renewable’ fuels are hardly emissions free. They all require
fossil fueled equipment to produce the machinery to that produces the
solar/wind hardware.!

CO2 is not a problem since there is no ‘climate crisis’.

Reply
LDighera September 11, 2023 At 3:42 pm
Implicit in your thesis is the notion that it is not possible to
recover the pure H2O produced by fuel-cells. Or, did I miss something?

Reply
JimH in CA September 11, 2023 At 4:05 pm
Since fuel cells operate at elevated temperatures of up to 200 degC,
the H2O is a vapor when emitted.
It could certainly be condensed back to a liquid state.

Reply
Ed Fix September 11, 2023 At 12:34 pm
Hydrogen is not an energy source, it’s an energy storage medium. The
energy ultimately has to come from somewhere else.

Reply
LDighera September 11, 2023 At 3:55 pm
You are correct. The storage of electricity has been a fundimental
issue since its discovery, that has yet to be satisfactorially resolved
in a general way.

It was the attempt to store electricity that lead to Dutch scientist
Pieter van Musschenbroek of Leiden (Leyden), Netherlands to develop the
“Leyden Jar” in 1745. He was attempting to “pour” high-voltage static
charge into a glass vessle …

Reply
Richard Phillips September 12, 2023 At 4:08 pm
Sort of getting “semanticky” here. Is oil from the ground an energy
source? You can go up a level or two and say “sun!” … or ultimately,
“big bang!”