NASA is looking at more than just hydrogen to push the future of air travel forward. Although hydrogen has been linked with all zero-emission vehicles, such as Toyota, NASA is looking at hydrogen and a radical hybrid engine idea that could perhaps decarbonize the skies for good. Being developed as per the NASA-funded initiative, the Hydrogen Hybrid Power for Aviation Sustainable Systems (Hy2PASS) engine is looking towards sustainable flights into the skies. Unlike cars that use hydrogen to power their wheels, hydrogen will now power the wings to ensure blast-offs without any emissions.
NASA reimagines an engine
The idea is to go against what other traditional hybrid models are known for. Many hybrids use hydrogen along with a gas turbine. The vision of this Hy2PASS system is to reimagine how hydrogen and the gas turbine interact. When the compressor is no longer linked to the turbine, energy loss will no longer be a possibility. The idea is for the engine to power the compressor electrically with energy from the fuel cell. Thus, energy loss due to friction and heat won’t be a possibility any longer. The main difference would be that the compressor is not only for the turbine but for supplying oxygen to the fuel cell’s cathode to form an efficient loop.
In this way, the compressor will be able to operate at different pressure levels without being restricted due to turbine speed. Overall, the idea is to reduce energy wastage and to allow for precision in terms of control. The byproduct of the Hy2PASS system would be water. Thus, the Hy2PASS system works towards a zero-emission future.
Converting the aircraft design
Whilst reimaging the engine, this Hy2PASS system will force engineers to reimagine the entire aircraft system too. All aircraft will have to be designed and tailored to suit these energy missions.
With strong support from NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, Dr. Phillip Ansell of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads the program and states that the overall goal is to rethink how aircraft are flown and integrated. Once the engine’s capabilities are aligned with flight trajectories, then total energy reduction can only be considered.
The whole idea is to ascertain that the Hy2PASS engine can adhere to safety goals while meeting maximum performance standards. This approach would mean aircraft that are lighter and perhaps cheaper to operate, too.
While not too long ago, NASA unveiled the perfect fuel that was not hydrogen, electricity, or nuclear fusion, it seems NASA is shifting its focus back onto hydrogen as the fuel for a zero-emissions aircraft future.
Where does hydrogen fit into the algorithm?
Although hydrogen is somewhat losing its reputation as being the core solution in the clean energy game, NASA is putting forward its Hy2PASS, which looks at hydrogen’s core role yet again. Automaker Toyota has showcased hydrogen’s power for all zero-emission vehicles, and now NASA is looking to tap into hydrogen’s potential too. Toyota’s team-up with Mazda and Subaru proves that while Japan is getting tired of hydrogen, hydrogen is here to stay.
Hydrogen fuel cells are different from electric batteries, which are all too heavy. Hydrogen fuel cells may just be the successful solution for all long-haul flights. If hydrogen gets amalgamated with an air-handling system of the Hy2PASS, an engine can result that would surely outperform other traditional jet engines. Performance will be better operationally and for the environment.
This hybrid geared project is merely in its infant stages; however, the vision is that the Hy2PASS engine will provide somewhat of a guide for cleaner aviation. Hydrogen surely is proving its worth and is showing that it is not only needed in demand by cars, but by aircraft too.
