Filton Systems Engineering (FSE), headquartered in Bradley Stoke, and Fabrum, a company located in Novel Zealand, are developing a new liquid hydrogen technology that is currently being tested at FSE’s freshly updated fuel testing site for potential use in future test flights.
Under the Innovate UK-funded Safe Flight project, GKN and FSE have collaborated to design and construct a 2.4 kW liquid hydrogen system ground-based prototype.
The objective of the end-to-end system is to establish the viability of liquid hydrogen as an airplane fuel source and to solve any safety issues.
In simulations intended to be indicative of a regular flight, the study will examine how hydrogen fuel could be delivered and stored.
Collaboration with GKN, which serves more than 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers, would leverage FSE’s aerospace expertise in fuel systems and the design of fuel, air, hydraulic, inerting, and engine systems, as well as Fabrum’s cryogenic and fuel tank storage technology and expertise in hydrogen fuel systems, according to the companies.
GKN, which also has a location in Filton, was one of nine South West organizations – including Bristol Airport, Bristol Port, and the airline EasyJet – to declare their participation in creating a new regional hydrogen infrastructure ecosystem.
Hydrogen South West will facilitate cross-sector cooperation to create, utilize, capture, store, and transport the element throughout the region.
Airbus is also interested in the scheme, having stated earlier this year that it will create a new hydrogen research hub at its Filton facility to assist its goal of developing the first commercial aircraft with zero emissions by 2035.
