Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories (GTL) of Tennessee, USA, has developed ultralight cryogenic hydrogen tanks that will allow airliners to fly four times as far.
These tanks are 75% lighter than the latest metal and composite aerospace cryobacs, according to New Atlas.
The tank, among other things, consists of composites of graphite fiber.
GTL claims that it has already been tested for leaks even after several cycles of cryothermal pressure, and that these tanks have a technological readiness level (TRL) of 6+, ie the technology was tested on a beta prototype in real conditions.
Liquid hydrogen weighs little, and for a typical compressed gas hydrogen tank, the typical mass fraction of H2 is only 10-11%. That is, for every kilogram of hydrogen you need about 9 kg of tank.
Cryobank 2.4 m long and 1.2 m in diameter weighs only 12 kg, and with the addition of other components - the total weight is 67 kg. It can hold more than 150 kg of hydrogen.
Thus, the mass fraction of hydrogen is almost 70%, leaving a lot of free weight for cryo-cooling equipment, pumps, etc., while maintaining the total mass fraction of the system over 50%.
Even a mass fraction of more than 50% will allow environmentally friendly aircraft to fly four times more than similar jets running on jet fuel, while reducing operating costs by about 50% and completely avoid carbon emissions.
We will remind, the passenger hydrogen plane set a world record of height.
As EcoPoliticа previously reported, large-scale green hydrogen projects aimed at exporting to Europe will appear in Egypt.
