- Airbus has announced ambitious plans to develop the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft.
- Unveiling the designs of the three ZEROe concept planes, the European aerospace giant set a target date of 2035 for the hydrogen-fuelled carriers to take to the skies.
- The hi-tech trio of aircraft are all hydrogen-hybrids.
- “This means they are powered by modified gas-turbine engines that burn liquid hydrogen as fuel”.
- They also use hydrogen fuel cells to create electrical power that complements the gas turbine, resulting in a highly efficient hybrid-electric propulsion system.
Turbofan
- Two hybrid hydrogen turbofan engines provide thrust.
- The liquid hydrogen storage and distribution system is located behind the rear pressure bulkhead.
- The Turbofan is designed to carry up to 200 passengers and have a range of more than 2,000 miles.
Turboprop
- Similar to the turbofan aircraft, this concept’s liquid hydrogen storage and distribution system is located behind the rear pressure bulkhead.
- However, two hybrid hydrogen turboprop engines, which drive the six-bladed propellers, provide thrust. The aircraft will carry 100 passengers and have a range of more than 1,000 miles.
Blended-Wing Body (BWB)
- This configuration features an exceptionally wide interior, which opens up multiple options for hydrogen storage and distribution.
- In this example, the liquid hydrogen storage tanks are stored underneath the wings. Like the Turbofan aircraft, two hybrid hydrogen turbofan engines provide thrust. The BWB will carry up to 200 passengers and have a range of more than 2,000 miles.
