The future of aviation is about to undergo a radical change with the development of hydrogen-powered jet engines . At the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), a team of researchers led by Nicolas Noiray has laid the groundwork for a new era of carbon-neutral flight. These engines, designed to be powerful and durable, are key to powering long-haul aircraft in an increasingly environmentally conscious world.
Technical challenges of hydrogen combustion
One of the main complications when working with hydrogen is its burning speed. Unlike kerosene, hydrogen burns quickly, generating compact flames that require careful redesign of the combustion chambers.
” Hydrogen burns much faster than kerosene, resulting in more compact flames ,” Noiray explained. This feature means that acoustic vibrations, a known problem in jet engines , must be carefully controlled.
In today’s engines, sound waves generated by combustion can be reflected and amplified, causing dangerous vibrations. If left unmitigated, these oscillations can damage combustion chambers. In response to this challenge, the ETH team has conducted detailed experiments in an advanced facility that simulates flight conditions at high altitudes .
ETH innovations and European collaboration
The HYDEA project, backed by the European Union and in collaboration with GE Aerospace, seeks to develop more efficient and robust hydrogen injectors. Tests include recreating the acoustics of different combustion chambers , allowing engineers to model and optimize nozzles. These improvements promise to minimize vibrations and pave the way for high-performance engines .
In addition to engine technology, Noiray stressed the importance of creating a global infrastructure for hydrogen aviation. “Engineers will be able to develop hydrogen aircraft, but we need an infrastructure that ensures sustainable production and supply of hydrogen,” he said. This effort requires global investment and coordination, from the production of green hydrogen to its safe transportation.
Jet engines and clean aviation
Hydrogen has emerged as the most viable option for long-range commercial aviation . Batteries, while useful for ground vehicles and small aircraft, are too heavy for long flights. Hydrogen stored in cryogenic tanks is significantly lighter, making it the best candidate for aircraft carrying hundreds of passengers.
In the next decade, the first hydrogen-powered aircraft are expected to take off, ushering in a more sustainable era in aviation. In the meantime, work continues at ETH and other innovation centres, in the hope of making this dream of clean flight a reality.
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Source and photos: ETH Zurich
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