Haskel and NanoSUN to refuel hydrogen-electric aircraft under HyFlyer II

To help EMEC Hydrogen’s aircraft trials as part of UK Research and Innovation’s HyFlyer II project, NanoSUN has selected Ingersoll Rand’s Haskel Hydrogen Systems Group to supply a packaged hydrogen compression system.

Cranfield University will host the world’s first hydrogen-electric aircraft flight demonstration in September 2020 as part of the HyFlyer I project. The UK government has given the HyFlyer II project an additional £12.3 million in funding, allowing it to begin work on a larger, 19-seat hydrogen-electric plane.

This project’s hydrogen refueling hardware was procured from NanoSUN by EMEC Hydrogen, the provider of the green hydrogen fueling systems required to power the aircraft during flight tests. Low-pressure hydrogen produced by electrolysis will be compressed to fill NanoSUN’s mobile Pioneer Hydrogen Refueling Station by Haskel, which will supply a compression unit. After that, it will be transported to the airport so that it can refuel the planes.

There is a source pressure of around 30 bar, and Haskel’s system will take the hydrogen and deliver it at a flow rate of approximately 3.5 kilograms per hour. Pneumatic gas compression, an air compressor with dryer, and simple push button control will all be housed in a custom Nano enclosure for our small-scale hydrogen refueling station.

Four Haskel gas boosters will supply the pressure and flow in two separate stages. The gas pressure is increased from 30 bar to 180 bar using a pair of ADG-14 boosters in the first stage. Boosting the gas pressure from 180 bar to 500 bar is accomplished in the second stage using two ADG-62 boosters.

Commenting on Haskel’s involvement in the project, Nick Power, Hydrogen Business Development Manager – EMEA at Haskel, said: “We are pleased to be supporting the government’s second HyFlyer project, which is a vital stage on the road to making emission-free commercial air travel a reality. Haskel has built its reputation on supporting partners to develop new technologies and applications that address global challenges and this is the latest example of our team utilising their experience and expertise in compression systems.”